Keshav Maharaj Ruled Out of Remainder of Pakistan ODI Series Due to Injury
South Africa’s star spinner, Keshav Maharaj, has been ruled out of the remaining matches in the ongoing ODI series against Pakistan after sustaining an injury. The 33-year-old was named in the playing XI for the opening ODI on December 17, but a pre-match warm-up injury forced him to miss the game. Subsequent medical scans confirmed that Maharaj is suffering from a left abductor strain, keeping him out of the upcoming 2nd and 3rd ODIs scheduled for December 19 and 22.
In his absence, South Africa have called up Bjorn Fortuin as his replacement for the final two fixtures of the series.
This injury setback comes just a day after Maharaj was included in South Africa's Test squad for their crucial home series against the West Indies, which will play a pivotal role in their bid to qualify for next year's World Test Championship final. Currently sitting at the top of the standings for the 2023-25 cycle with a PCT of 63.330, the Proteas are relying on Maharaj’s return to full fitness for the Test matches.
A Cricket South Africa (CSA) statement confirmed that Maharaj will return to Durban for rehabilitation and will undergo a thorough assessment ahead of the first Test match in Centurion, starting on December 26. The Proteas will be hoping for a swift recovery for their talismanic spinner, who has been a key figure in their bowling attack across formats.
