South Africa Announces 20-Man Test Squad For Pakistan Tour

Cricket South Africa on Friday announced the Proteas squad for upcoming two-match Test series against hosts Pakistan, starting on January 26.

South Africa team is all set to travel the Pakistan nation for a two-match Test, and 3-match T20I series that will commence on January 26, and the last match of the series will be played on February 14.

The 21-man strong squad includes the majority of players who featured in the recently-concluded home Test series against Sri Lanka. The attack is strengthened by the returns of Kagiso Rabada and Dwaine Pretorius – both of whom are fully fit to play – with a spin bowling boost in the inclusions of Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde.

Fast bowler Daryn Dupavillon and medium-pacer Ottniel Baartman have also received maiden call ups to the national team.

The Proteas last toured Pakistan in 2007 when they won the two-match series 1-0. Quinton de Kock will be leading the Test team while the T20 squad will be announced next week.

“Considering that the conditions that will be faced are largely unknown to the South African team, we wanted to strengthen the attack with the skill sets that Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde have to offer, while giving players like Daryn Dupavillon and Ottniel Baartman an opportunity after making strong cases for themselves in recent seasons,” Victor Mpitsang, South Africa’s convener of selectors, said in a statement.

The teams will travel commercially and enter into a period of quarantine in Karachi before commencing with training and intra-squad practice matches.

Proteas Test Squad:

Quinton de Kock (c, wk), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Ottniel Baartman.

South Africa Tour to Pakistan Schedule:

• January 26-30: 1st Test, Karachi
• February 4-8: 2nd Test, Rawalpindi
• February 11: 1st T20I, Lahore
• February 13: 2nd T20I, Lahore
• February 14: 3rd T20I, Lahore