South Africa vs Pakistan: Steyn and De Kock rested for first two ODIs

South Africa has undoubtedly been the most dominant force in their ongoing international fixtures against Pakistan. The Proteas comprehensively won the three-match Test series 3-0 with wins in Centurion, Cape Town and Johannesburg respectively. The hosts are now scheduled to lock horns with Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Men in Green in the five-match ODI series, starting Saturday, January 19.

Port Elizabeth, Durban, Centurion, Johannesburg and Cape Town are the venues for the series. Meanwhile, it has been learned that fast bowler Dale Steyn and Quinton de Kock have been rested for the first two ODIs at St George’s Park and Kingsmead respectively. Both played all the red-ball matches and were at the top of their game. While Aiden Markram replaced de Kock, Steyn made way for Duanne Olivier.

Two major call-ups

Markram has been in the ODI setup for the last one year and he wouldn’t want to let the opportunity pass by with the World Cup, starting on May 30 in England and Wales. He scored a couple of half-centuries in the last two Tests. Olivier, on the other hand, was outstanding in the Test series and finished as the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets at an average of 14.70 and strike-rate of 22.

However, the 22-year-old from Groblersdal is yet to make his ODI debut. Earlier, Rassie van der Dussen, who only has played T20Is thus far for the national team, got his maiden ODI call-up. South Africa are yet to win the World Cup and with limited time left ahead of the mega event, the team, captained by Faf du Plessis, would dearly want to get their combinations in place.

Here is the updated squad for the first two ODIs

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

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