Major Blow to South Africa Ahead of Second ODI Against Pakistan

South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the rest of the ongoing ODI series against Pakistan after suffering a left adductor strain during warm-ups before the first match on Tuesday.

Scans confirmed the injury, prompting his exclusion from the remainder of the series.

To replace Maharaj, South Africa has called up Bjorn Fortuin as a like-for-like replacement for the second and third ODIs against Pakistan.

Maharaj had to limp off just before the first ODI’s toss, and Andile Phehlukwayo was called in as his last-minute replacement in the playing XI.

Maharaj will return home to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. This injury adds to South Africa’s growing list of unavailable bowlers, which already includes Anrich Nortje (fractured toe), Gerald Coetzee (groin), Lungi Ngidi (hip), Nandre Burger (lower back), and Wiaan Mulder (broken finger).

Earlier, South Africa has included Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder in their Test squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan, despite injury concerns. Maharaj suffered a groin strain during warm-ups before the first ODI against Pakistan and will undergo a scan to assess the injury.

If Mulder is fit after recovering from a broken finger, top-order batter Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad. Uncapped seam bowlers Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka are also in the squad.

Bosch, son of former international Tertius Bosch, received his first call-up after a strong showing against the England Lions. South Africa will manage their resources carefully due to several injury absences, including key bowlers like Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje.