PAK vs SA: Why is Keshav Maharaj Not Playing Today’s Pakistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2022 Match?

Keshav Maharaj PAK vs SA: In a crucial news development, South Africa’s left-arm spinner and vice-captain Keshav Maharaj is not playing their fourth match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 campaign against Pakistan scheduled to be hosted at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. South Africa have managed to win 2 out of their 3 matches in the ongoing T20 competition and the spirits in the camp will be quite high after their sensational win over India.

PAK vs SA: Why is Keshav Maharaj Not Playing Today’s Pakistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2022 Match?

During the toss, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma mentioned that Keshav Maharaj unfortunately misses out from the playing XI for this game against Pakistan. Incidentally, the Sydney track is traditionally expected to assist the spinners which makes Maharaj’s exclusion look really surprising. The left-arm spinner ended with figures of 1 for 24 against Bangladesh on the same venue. On the other hand, South Africa have included chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi in the side as he picked up as many as 3 wickets in the match against Bangladesh earlier in this tournament.

“We would have batted first as well, looks a bit dry, but there is some green. Batting first is an advantage, but we need to keep them down to a low score and then chase well. We have a great bunch of guys and have derived a lot of support and confidence for them. Two changes for us – one is a forced one with Miller missing out with an injury, Klaasen replaces him. Shamsi is in, he replaces Keshav Maharaj,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma at the toss.

SA Playing 11

1. Quinton de Kock (wk)
2. Temba Bavuma (C)
3. Rilee Rossouw
4. Aiden Markram
5. Heinrich Klaasen
6. Tristan Stubbs
7. Wayne Parnell
8. Lungi Ngidi
9. Tabraiz Shamsi
10. Kagiso Rabada
11. Anrich Nortje

T20 World Cup 2022 Schedule