New Delhi: South Africa have picked uncapped fast bowler Corbin Bosch for the third One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan. The 30-year-old pacer comes in as a replacement for fast bowler Ottneil Baartman, who has been ruled out of the Pink ODI on December 22, Sunday due to a right knee injury.
Baartman, 31, experienced discomfort during his run-up ahead of the second ODI on Thursday in Cape Town and missed the match subsequently. The pace bowler will return home and undergo further assessments of his injury.
Baartman’s loss is Bosch’s gain as the pace bowler will join the squad ahead of the Pink Day ODI on Sunday at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Bosch was also included in the 16-man Proteas squad for a two-match Test series against Pakistan starting in Centurion on December 26.
Besides Bosch, SA also named Kwena Maphaka in the Test squad for the Pakistan series. Maphaka is also uncapped in red-ball cricket.
SA eye consolation win
Meanwhile, South Africa will aim to earn a consolation win in the Pink ODI on Sunday after losing the first two ODIs and the series against Pakistan. The Men in Green claimed a second straight major ODI series away from home after a comprehensive 81-run win at Newlands on December 19, Thursday. Pakistan defeated Australia 2-1 last month Down Under.
The two big series wins have come as a major boost for Pakistan cricket ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy in February.
Fifties from Babar Azam, captain Mohammad Rizwan and allrounder Kamran Ghulam powered Pakistan to a massive total. In reply, Heinrich Klaasen hit 97 but the home side could only reach 248 in 44 overs. Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up four wickets while Naseem Shah snared three scalps as Pakistan bowlers strangled South Africa’s chase.
This was Pakistan’s fifth successive bilateral ODI series, one that puts them in good stead for CT 2025.
Corbin Bosch was also included in the 16-man Proteas squad for a two-match Test series against Pakistan starting in Centurion on December 26. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
