Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday announced the ODI and T20 squads that will take on Pakistan in the upcoming home series in April. Having suffered a narrow away series defeat against Pakistan earlier this year, the Proteas have released new squads with certain improvisations in selection. The selection of the squad has been done with scrutiny, as a number of players have either been recalled or given a chance.
Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder have both been recalled to the ODI squad who last featured in 2019, whereas Migael Pretorius have been selected for the T20s (despite being not playing a game after featuring in the test squad). Daryn Dupavillon has been called back in the ODI squad as well after previously making his debut in March 2020.
A number of players have been given their first chance in either of the squads. All-rounder Wihan Lubbe and fast bowler Lizaad Williams have received their first call-ups to a South African squad, along with Kyle Verreynne in the T-20 squad.
Both the teams will be captained by Temba Bavuma, who takes charge from Quinton de Kock. The IPL contracted players, like De Kock, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada are only part of ODI series that will end on April 7. They have been left out of T-20 squad, allowing them to join up their respective IPL teams.
There is also a chance that these players will miss their initial IPL matches due to mandatory isolation upon their arrival in India. Delhi Capitals might suffer from this as Rabada and Nortje are the key strength to their bowling sphere.Faf du Plessis will also be available for the entire IPL tournament as he was not selected in both squads. The former South African captain had announced retirement from test cricket in February.
ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Beuran Hendricks , Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Lizaad Williams
T20 squad: Temba Bavuma (captain) Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Pite van Biljon, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Wihan Lubbe