The 18-year-old left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is set to make his Test debut in the second or last Test of the home series against Pakistan at Cape Town, starting on Friday (January 3).

South Africa have already advanced to the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final, while they won the thrilling Test series opener by two wickets at Centurion. 

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South African playing XI replacement for the Cape Town Test

South Africa have made three changes in the playing XI for the Cape Town Test, where the teenage Maphaka is set to replace Dane Paterson, who claimed a fifer in the first innings of the latest Centurion Test. The other changes will be Wiaan Mulder replacing injured opener Tony de Zorzi and injury-recovered Keshav Maharaj replacing seamer Corbin Bosch.

Kwena Maphaka has impressed in his early career

In the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2024, Maphaka won the Player of the Tournament award after finishing the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets. In the IPL 2024, Maphaka made his IPL debut and played two games for Mumbai Indians, where he picked up one wicket.

Maphaka has already played two ODIs and five T20Is, where the left-arm fast bowler has taken five and three wickets, respectively. He made his T20I debut when South Africa toured the West Indies last August and his ODI debut during the latest home ODI series against Pakistan. At the age of 18 years and 137 days, he became the youngest South African to make an international cricket debut. 

Maphaka has played three first-class matches, where he delivered 60.5 overs and picked up 13 wickets. As most of the regular Proteas fast bowlers are injured, the teenage fast bowler has a great chance to show his talent in world cricket at an early age.

South African playing XI for the Cape Town Test

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(WK), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka

Gujarat Titans (GT) have designated Sandeep Warrier as the replacement for Shami in the forthcoming edition of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI) have enlisted Kwena Maphaka, the U19 World Cup standout, in lieu of Dilshan Madushanka.

According to a media release from the IPL governing body, Shami, the Indian fast bowler, recently underwent successful surgery for a heel issue and is presently on the path to recovery. Sandeep Warrier, with five IPL appearances to his credit, previously represented Kolkata Knight Riders between 2019 and 2021. Despite being part of the Mumbai Indians squad in IPL 2023, he didn’t feature in any matches.

From U19 Sensation to IPL Debut

Regarding Madushanka’s absence, the governing body confirmed his withdrawal from TATA IPL 2024 due to injury. South Africa’s U19 World Cup standout, Kwena Maphaka, renowned for his left-arm pace, will fill in for him. Maphaka, hailed as the Player of the Tournament at the recent ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, impressed with his exceptional performance, claiming 21 wickets in six matches at a remarkable average of 9.71, showcasing lethal yorkers that troubled opposing batters.

Shami’s injury saga dates back to the ODI World Cup 2023, where he persisted despite an ankle injury. Following surgery for his Achilles tendon in London, Shami has returned to India, expressing gratitude for the support received during his recovery journey on social media.

As for Madushanka, the Sri Lankan pacer’s unavailability was anticipated since sustaining a hamstring injury during the second ODI against Bangladesh. However, his absence from the IPL further solidifies as he is ruled out of the tournament.

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