“Very concerned about him” – South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad left anxious after calf strain rules Temba Bavuma out of Pakistan tour

Temba Bavuma and Shukri Conrad (Source: by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images and Proteas Men/Twitter/X)

Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC) clash against Pakistan with a calf strain. The Proteas will travel to Pakistan to play two Test matches in October. The matches will be played in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Bavuma sustained the injury during the recent white-ball tour of England and is expected to need six to eight weeks of recovery. Aiden Markram will take over the reins in Bavuma’s absence.

Bavuma has been struggling with injuries in recent months. In June-July, the right-handed batter missed the two Tests in Zimbabwe with a hamstring strain that he suffered during the WTC final. An injury to the left elbow – a joint that has troubled him several times since a fracture in 2022 – had kept him on the shelf for two months before the WTC final.

South African head coach Shukri Conrad expressed his concerns regarding the frequent injury woes for the 35-year-old. Conrad admitted that age is not on Bavuma’s side but asserted that the South African medical team will be able to help him overcome this tormenting battle with injuries.

“Very concerned about Temba. Every series has been an injury and it is not for want of him of trying. He is doing everything in his powers to make sure he remains injury free. His form is definitely good enough and he is definitely worth managing. Age is not on his side so it is a concern but I am confident in the medical staff and Temba’s desire to get him fit,” Conrad was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Bavuma has played 64 Tests, aggregating 3708 runs at an average of 38.23. He has registered 25 fifties and four centuries, including a highest score of 172 against the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2023. He led South Africa to the WTC title earlier this year.

South Africa squad for Pakistan Tests: Aiden Markram (C), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne

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