T20 World Cup: Faf Du Plessis, Imran Tahir & Chris Morris Not Included In SA Squad

The experienced trio Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris have not been included in South Africa's squad for the men's T20 World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Victo

Maharaj has played 36 Tests and 14 ODIs for South Africa. But he has been uncapped in the shortest format of international cricket. Maharaj, though, has played 104 T20s, scalping 83 wickets at an economy rate of 6.62.

"It's the subcontinent and with the IPL being played before the tournament, so we know the wickets will take a lot of spin. We have to look at the balance of the squad. There is no better time than now for us to bring home the trophy and bring the nation together in a way that only sport can.
We hope that South Africans will rally behind this team and cheer them all the way to the final," said Mptisang.

The players selected in the fifteen as well as travelling reserves will take part in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting from Friday, barring Lungi Ngidi. The pacer has left for Dubai to join his IPL side Chennai Super Kings ahead of second leg of the IPL 2021.

South Africa begin their men's T20 World Cup campaign against Australia on October 23 in Abu Dhabi. The first match of the Proteas in Group 1 will also open the super 12 stage of the tournament. Other teams in their group include 2010 winners England, defending champions West Indies and two qualifiers from the first round.

Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi and Rassie van der Dussen

Reserves: George Linde, Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams