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In an unfortunate setback for South Africa, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs against Pakistan due to a left adductor strain. The injury was sustained during warm-ups ahead of the first ODI on Tuesday, forcing Maharaj to withdraw just before the toss.
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Bjorn Fortuin Replaces Maharaj
To fill the void left by Maharaj, South Africa has named Bjorn Fortuin, another left-arm spinner, as his replacement for the second and third ODIs of the series. Maharaj, meanwhile, will return to Durban for rehabilitation and is expected to be reassessed ahead of the first Test against Pakistan later this month.
Mounting Injury Concerns for South Africa
Maharaj’s absence adds to a growing list of injured South African bowlers, which already includes:
- Anrich Nortje (fractured toe)
- Gerald Coetzee (groin)
- Lungi Ngidi (hip)
- Nandre Burger (lower back)
- Wiaan Mulder (broken finger)
The loss is particularly significant given Maharaj’s recent heroics in the Test series against Sri Lanka, where he claimed 5 for 76 to secure a final-day victory in Gqeberha.
South Africa’s Spin Options for the Test Series
With Maharaj sidelined, South Africa will need to rely on other spin-bowling options for the Test series against Pakistan, beginning on December 26 in Centurion. Potential candidates include:
- Dane Piedt
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Neil Brand (batting allrounder who bowls left-arm spin)
- Shaun von Berg (legspinner)
- Tabraiz Shamsi (last played first-class cricket in 2021)
High Stakes for South Africa in WTC Final Race
The upcoming Test series is crucial for South Africa, who currently sit atop the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. A victory in the two-match series against Pakistan will secure their spot in the WTC final.
The first Test in Centurion promises to be a decisive moment for the Proteas, who will need to overcome injuries and make the most of their available resources to maintain their winning streak.
