Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller return along with one uncapped player in South Africa squad for SA vs PAK 2024 ODIs

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a full-strength squad for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, beginning on December 17 at the Boland Park in Paarl. Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, and Keshav Maharaj have returned to the fold after being rested for the T20Is, while Kwena Maphaka has received his maiden call-up to the 50-overs side.

Maphaka made his international debut earlier this year in the T20I series against the West Indies. The left-arm pacer delivered a promising performance in the opening T20I against Pakistan in Durban. The left-arm speedster dismissed Babar Azam for a duck and removed Mohammed Rizwan at a crucial juncture to snare figures of 4-0-39-2, thereby fashioning a win for the tourists.

Nortje has been ruled out of the T20Is and ODIs due to a foot injury. Wiaan Mulder (broken finger), Lungi Ngidi (hip strain), Gerald Coetzee (groin strain), and Nandre Burger (lower back stress fracture) couldn't be considered for selection either.

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Rassie van der Dussen.

"We are very pleased with this squad" - South Africa coach

Proteas' white-ball coach Rob Walter addressed the squad selections and said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:

"The bowling line-up features one of the fastest in the game in KG, and this series offers another great opportunity for a young talent like Kwena to come in and learn first-hand from the best. In the batting department, we are thrilled to welcome back David and Heinrich, two of the most destructive players in the game. Overall, we are very pleased with this squad."

While the 2025 Champions Trophy remains one of the primary focus, the World Test Championship (WTC) final is equally critical. South Africa are one win away from sealing a spot in the final and can do so by emerging victorious in one of the two Tests against Pakistan.