Courtesy: CSA
Ahead of the second ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan, the Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the contest due to a left adductor strain. Furthermore, the left-arm off spin bowler won’t be playing the final ODI of the series either, and he is scheduled to head home to rehabilitate from the injury before being reassessed ahead of the first Test of the two-match series against Pakistan.
Notably, Keshav Maharaj was initially named in the playing XI in the first ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan at the Boland Park in Paarl. But, during the pre-match warm-up, he suffered the injury, and due to which he wasn’t a part of the South Africa’s defeat against Pakistan by three wickets with three balls to spare, falling to defend the 239-run total after impressive batting performances from Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha, with the former scoring yet another ODI ton this year.
Bjorn Fortuin has been named as Keshav Maharaj's replacement for the final two ODIs
In their statement on the official X account, apart from revealing the injury to Keshav Maharaj, the CSA also announced Bjorn Fortuin as his replacement for the final two ODIs. They wrote, “Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out for the remainder of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan after scans revealed a left adductor strain. He will return home to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the first Test against Pakistan. Bjorn Fortuin has been named as his replacement for the final two ODIs.”
The announcement from CSA about the injury to Keshav Maharaj came just a day after he was picked in their squad for the highly important two-match Test series against Pakistan at the turn of the year. South Africa have a great chance to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 at the Lord’s in London for the first-time ever in their history if they are able to get the better of Pakistan in either Centurion or Cape Town.
As of this writing, the Proteas are currently at the top of the table in the WTC 2023-25 cycle with a PCT OF 63.330 to their name.
