Injury Concern for South Africa’s Maphaka Ahead of Series Against Pakistan

South Africa faces a potential setback as young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is being evaluated for a hamstring problem ahead of their Test series against Pakistan. The injury occurred during a domestic match.

The 19-year-old, part of South Africa’s squad for the T20I against Namibia on October 11 and the white-ball squads for the Pakistan tour, sustained the injury while playing for the Lions in a four-day game against Western Province at Newlands last week.

Maphaka bowled 5.5 overs in the first innings and left the field due to discomfort. Scans revealed no major damage, allowing him to return and bowl in the second innings.

He played a significant role in the Lions’ dominant victory by an innings and 134 runs, securing 3 wickets for 26 runs in 10 overs.

The young player will undergo a precautionary MRI scan to assess his fitness before South Africa’s busy international schedule.

Despite limited first-class experience—six matches, including two Tests—Maphaka is viewed as a promising talent and is expected to participate in South Africa’s matches against Pakistan and India in the coming months.

In other news, South Africa will face Namibia in a T20I on Saturday to inaugurate the new stadium in Windhoek. This match takes place before the Test team begins its World Test Championship (WTC) title defense in Pakistan.

Several key players, including captain Aiden Markram, will be absent for the Namibia game. Donovan Ferreira will captain the team, marking the return of Quinton de Kock, who recently reversed his ODI retirement.

The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled for October 12–16 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, followed by the second Test from October 20–24 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

This series marks South Africa’s first Test matches in Pakistan since January 2021, when Pakistan won 2-0.

Following the Tests, the teams will play a three-match T20I series (October 28–November 1) — with the first match in Rawalpindi and the last two in Lahore — before concluding with a three-match ODI series (November 4–8) at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

South Africa squad for Pakistan Tests: Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen and Kyle Verreynne.