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CAPE TOWN. — South Africa picked an experienced 15-man squad for next month’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan with 10 players having competed at the last World Cup in India in late 2023.
Temba Bavuma captains the side that plays pool games against Afghanistan in Karachi on Feb. 21, Australia in Rawalpindi on Feb. 25 before returning to Karachi for their final Group B match against England on March 1.
Anrich Nortje, who missed out on the World Cup due to injury, makes his return to the squad after recovering from a left toe injury.
Fellow seamer Lungi Ngidi missed the recent home series against Pakistan because of a groin injury but has been named in the squad.
“This squad boasts a wealth of experience, with many players having consistently performed in high pressure situations. That kind of experience is invaluable in a tournament like this,” said coach Rob Walter.
“We’ve managed to maintain the core group of our 2023 World Cup squad, whilst adding fresh talent.
“Our recent performances show that we’re capable of reaching the latter stages of global tournaments. We’re eager to take the next step and go even further in pursuit of the coveted silverware,” he told a virtual press conference.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das have been left out of the squad for the Champions Trophy beginning next month.
Shakib’s place in the squad became untenable after he was reported for a suspect bowling action in England last year. The 37-year-old remains suspended from bowling after a second assessment of his action last month.
Shakib, considered Bangladesh’s best ever cricketer, has already quit test cricket and his 50-overs career appears over after the Champions Trophy snub.
Litton failed to make the squad after being dismissed for six single-digit scores in his last seven ODI outings.
“Litton is out of form,” Bangladesh chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain told reporters on Sunday.
“He is getting out in a similar pattern. He is unable to take advantage of the powerplay in the white-ball format.
“We will play on good batting wickets in Rawalpindi … so we have to take in-form top-order batters.”
Pakistan will host most of the Champions Trophy but India, who Bangladesh face in their Group A opener on February 20, will play their games in Dubai.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Towhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Nahid Rana
South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen. — reuters.
Online Reporter