Maphaka is out of the Namibia T20I and the Pakistan tour because of a hamstring injury

Maphaka is out of the Namibia T20I and the Pakistan tour because of a hamstring injury

South Africa left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been ruled out of South Africa’s one-off Twenty20 International against Namibia and Pakistan.

South African fast bowler has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I against Namibia and the white-ball tour of Pakistan due to a hamstring injury. The match against Namibia is scheduled for October 11, and the Pakistan tour includes three T20Is and three ODIs later this month.

Maphaka picked up the injury while playing a four-day domestic match for the Lions against Western Province at Newlands last week. He bowled just 5.5 overs in the first innings before leaving the field due to discomfort in his hamstring. Although initial scans showed no serious damage, he returned to bowl in the second innings and delivered an impressive spell, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs in ten overs. His performance helped the Lions secure a dominant win by an innings and 134 runs.

However, Cricket South Africa later confirmed that further medical tests revealed a grade 1-2 hamstring injury. Maphaka will now undergo rehabilitation for the next four weeks, ruling him out of the immediate fixtures.

In his absence, Ottneil Baartman has been named as his replacement for the T20I against Namibia. Baartman has also been added to the T20I squad for the Pakistan series. Additionally, Lizaad Williams, who was already part of the T20I squad, has been included in the ODI squad for the Pakistan leg of the tour.

South Africa’s tour of Pakistan begins with two Test matches starting October 12, followed by three T20Is from October 28 and three ODIs that will wrap up on November 8. The team will be hoping for a strong showing across formats despite the early injury setback.

South Africa's squad for Namibia T20I

Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira (c), Bjorn Fortuin, Gerald Coetzee, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Nqaba Peter, Lizaad Williams, Jason Smith, Ottneil Baartman

South Africa's squad for Pakistan T20Is

Corbin Bosch, David Miller (c), Nandre Burger, Dewald Brevis, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil Baartman

South Africa's squad for Pakistan ODIs

Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke (c), Nandre Burger, Dewald Brevis, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Nqaba Peter, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile