South Africa include two uncapped pacers in squad for Pakistan Tests

Cricket South Africa have announced the squad for their upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan. Both sides will lock horns in the first Test at the SuperSport Park, Centurion, from December 26, which will be followed by the second one at Newlands, Cape Town, from January 3. 

The board has also taken a gamble with the fitness of Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder as both players have been selected in the Test squad for the Pakistan series after suffering injuries recently. It is worth noting that Maharaj recently had sustained a groin strain in the warm-ups for the first ODI in Paarl on Tuesday and was removed from the playing XI just before the toss. 

Mulder, on the other hand, had broken his right middle finger while batting against Sri Lanka in Durban last month. If Mulder is deemed fit for the first Test, Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad. South Africa have also included two uncapped pacers in Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka.

South Africa's Test coach, Shukri Conrad, talked about whether there would be any need for any last-minute additions to the squad.

"Based on the outcome of that, we'll do the necessary. We'll see how severe it is, whether it's only potentially the first Test (he misses) or both Test matches. Once I get the results of the scan, I'll be in a better position to either replace [or] chat to the other coaches and make up my mind on the back of that,” Conrad was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

The Proteas have a formidable record at home, and they will hope to put in a good showing against Pakistan. 

South Africa squad for Tests against Pakistan

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)