News Desk
White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today announced a strong 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, scheduled from 17- 22 December.
DP World Lions seamer Kwena Maphaka has earned his maiden call-up to the 50-over setup. The 18-year-old, already capped in T20 Internationals, has displayed immense promise having been named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year after taking 21 wickets at an average of 9.71.
His stocks have only continued to rise since then, propelling him into the senior national team where he has already featured four times for South Africa.
Maphaka will join Kagiso Rabada, who makes his return to the ODI squad for the first time since the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia in November. The squad also features Hollywoodbets Dolphins fast bowler Ottneil Baartman, alongside all-rounders Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo.
In the batting department, the squad, led by Temba Bavuma, is bolstered by the return of David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, who last featured in an ODI in December 2023 against India.
The series begins on Tuesday, 17 December at Boland Park in Paarl. The second ODI will take place at World Sports Betting Newlands on Thursday, 19 December, followed by the annual Pink Day and final ODI on Sunday, 22 December at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
This series will serve as preparation ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy.
