South Africa squads for Afghanistan, Ireland series announced; Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram to lead

South Africa National Cricket Team have announced the squads for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan along with the T20I and the 50-over series against Ireland. Temba Bavuma will be captaining the team in the ODIs while Aiden Markram will be leading the team in 20-over format.

South Africa National Cricket will be traveling to UAE for the three-match ODI series against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. The first game will be played on 18th September, followed by the second and third matches to be played on 20th September and 22nd September, respectively. All the games will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Following that, Proteas will be traveling to Abu Dhabi for the two-match T20I series and the three-match ODI series against Ireland. The first 20-over game will be played on 27th September and the second match will be taking place on 29th September.

After that, the ODIs against the Ireland National Cricket Team will begin on 2nd October, with the second and third games to be played on 4th October and 7th October. All the matches will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Jason Smith and Nqaba Peter have received their maiden call-up in the ODIs and will be part of both the series. Along with them, all-rounder Andile Simelane also has earned his maiden national call-up and will be playing in ODIs against Afghanistan and the T20Is against Ireland.

Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who missed a lot of action due to a right calf injury, recovered completely and will be playing all three series for the South Africa National Cricket Team. While Premier pacers in Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have been rested from the entire tour to UAE.

Temba Bavuma, who will be captaining the teams in ODI, hasn't been named in T20Is while on the other hand, Aiden Markram will be part of all three squads along with Tristan Stubbs, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi and Bjorn Fortuin.

Talking about the squad selection, South Africa head coach Rob Walter said that they have decided to give opportunities to young players as they eye major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months. He explained:

"We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months.

“This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027."

South Africa squads for Afghanistan, Ireland series

Here's South Africa squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan

Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams

Here's South Africa's squad for the ODI series against Ireland

Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams

Here's South Africa squad for the T20I series against Ireland

Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs and Lizaad Williams.