South Africa vs Pakistan 2018-19: Quinton de Kock, Dale Steyn Rested For First Two ODI Games

South Africa has asked their key players Quinton de Kock and Dale Steyn to take rest for an initial couple of ODI games against Pakistan. They want them to take the considerable rest period before joining the team for the remaining ODI games. Perhaps, this would be the move to test the young players in the side.

Aiden Markram, Duanne Olivier receives call-up:

Surprisingly, they called back Aiden Markram, who was left out initially. Meanwhile, the fast bowler, Duanne Olivier, who was pretty exceptional in the longer version of the game has been a called-up to replace Dale Steyn in the side.

Recently, South Africa have named uncapped batsman Rassie van der Dussen in their 14-man squad for the first two contests of the five-match home one-day international series against Pakistan.

There is also a recall for the fast bowler Dane Paterson, who has not played for the Proteas in ODI format since his debut series against Bangladesh in 2017. Meanwhile, Hashim Amla, who missed the most recent series in Australia towards the end of last year through injury, returns to the squad.

The squad will then be revised for the remaining three matches. From now, every selection is like painting a picture of where the selectors are going with this year’s World Cup squad in mind.

Most Probably, South Africa would ask one from Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks to open the innings in absence of Quinton de Kock. In fact, they have quite a few options with Aiden Markram joining the wheel alongside Hashim Amla.

Here is the updated squad:

Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Duanne Olivier

Also, FIXTURES

• 1st Momentum ODI, St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth (D/N), January 19
• 2nd Momentum ODI, Kingsmead, Durban (D/N), January 22
• 3rd Momentum ODI, SuperSport Park, Centurion (D/N), January 25
• 4th Momentum ODI, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (Day), January 27
• 5th Momentum ODI, PPC Newlands, Cape Town (D/N), January 30