Kwena Maphaka earns call-up as Rabada, Miller return for ODIs against Pakistan

New Delhi: Seamer Kwena Maphaka has earned his maiden South Africa call-up to the 50-over team, even as Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Keshav Maharaj mark their return for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan.

Maphaka, 18, has played four T20Is for South Africa, after being named Player of the Tournament at this year’s ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where he took 21 wickets at an average of 9.71.

He joins a fast-bowling department featuring Rabada and Ottneil Baartman, alongside all-rounders Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo. Rabada makes his return to the ODI squad for the first time since the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia in Kolkata.

The squad will be led by Temba Bavuma, who is back after being injured in an ODI against Ireland in October. In the batting department, South Africa are boosted by the return of David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, who last featured in an ODI in December 2023 against India.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi is also back in the ODI set-up, especially after opting out of a central contract and has since been a part of the Proteas squad for the ongoing T20Is against Pakistan.

The ODIs against Pakistan, starting from December 17 at Boland Park in Paarl, followed by matches in Newlands, Cape Town, on December 19 and Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on December 22, will serve as preparation for South Africa ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy. IANS

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