Daryn Dupavillon and Ottneil Baartman have received their maiden call-ups in the Proteas squad for the two-match Test series against Pakistan, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Friday.
South Africa is set to tour Pakistan for the first time since 2007. The two team will face each other in two Tests from January 26 to February 14 in Karachi and Rawalpindi, that will then be followed by three T20Is in Lahore.
The majority of players of the 21-player squad were also initially named in the Test squad for the home series against Sri Lanka.
The uncapped Ottniel earned his spot in the squad owing to his brilliant figures in First-Class cricket. The newcomer has scalped 82 wickets in 28 matches. On the other hand, his teammate Dupavillon has a brilliant 189 wickets in 59 First-Class matches under his belt. In one ODI outing, he picked up one wicket.
“As a selection panel, we are very excited to see how the tour of Pakistan will pan out for the players we have chosen,” CSA’s Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang said.
“We are confident in our selections and believe in rewarding good performances both on and off the field, which is why we have gone with the core of the group that was selected for the Sri Lanka home series.
“Considering that the conditions that will be faced are largely unknown to the South African team, we wanted to strengthen the attack with the skill sets that Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde have to offer while giving players like Daryn Dupavillon and Ottneil Baartman an opportunity after making strong cases for themselves in recent seasons,” Mpitsang added.
South Africa squad for Pakistan series
Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Othniel Baartman.
