South Africa T20 squad for Pakistan announced; Tabraiz Shamsi comes back

South Africa announced a revamped squad for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting on December 10.

Heinrich Klaasen will lead the Proteas side in the T20I series, as the regular captain Aiden Markram, along with several key players like Kagiso Rabada and Tristan Stubbs, is unavailable due to their commitments in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The biggest highlight of the squad is the recall of the star pacer Anrich Nortje. The 31-year-old last sported the national colors during the T20 World Cup final in June.

Tabraiz Shamsi and Anrich Nortje make comebacks in South Africa's T20I squad for Pakistan series

Earlier, Nortje declined a national contract, citing his intent to focus on white-ball cricket and franchise leagues after a string of injuries, including a serious back issue that sidelined him from last year’s ODI World Cup.

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Apart from Anrich Nortje, star wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who also stepped away from a national contract to explore opportunities in franchise cricket globally, also made a return to the T20I squad for the upcoming Pakistan series.

Additionally, seasoned left-arm spinner George Linde has also been recalled to the Proteas squad after a gap of three years. Linde, who is known for his powerful middle-order batting apart from his spin prowess, has already represented South Africa in three Tests, two ODIs, and 14 T20Is.

Meanwhile, Kwena Maphaka, Matthew Breetzke, and Ryan Rickelton—all of whom are currently part of the Test squad—will only be available for T20I selection after fulfilling their commitments in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.

We’re looking to build on the experience within the group: Rob Walter

However, Tabraiz Shamsi's availability for the first T20I match against Pakistan depends on his team, Lahore Qalandars’ progress in the ongoing Guyana T20 League. Notably, the first T20 match against Pakistan will be held in Durban next Tuesday, just a day after the Test in Gqeberha concludes. The following two T20s will take place in Centurion and Johannesburg. After the T20 series, the teams will face off in a three-match One-Day series, followed by two Test matches.

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South Africa’s white-ball head coach Rob Walter said on the squad as quoted by the ICC: “All 15 players are capped, and we’re looking to build on the experience within the group as we continue to grow as a unit. In the absence of Aiden, Heinrich will lead the team. He is a vastly experienced player with a strong understanding and reading of the game. We look forward to utilizing him in this role after his previous experiences in 2021.”

Walter added, “We have also given George an opportunity again. He really earned his spot off the back of a strong domestic campaign, and his skills as a spinning all-rounder add important balance to the team. We're pleased to have Anrich and Tabraiz back in the squad. Their wealth of experience and skill significantly bolsters our bowling unit, enhancing both our pace and spin departments, which will be key against a strong Pakistan side.”

South Africa’s T20I Squad for the Pakistan Series:

Heinrich Klaasen (C), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortjé, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi*, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen