South Africa Announce ODI and T20I Squads for UAE Tours

Jason Smith, Nqaba Peter and Amdile Simelane have earned their maiden ODI call-ups to the South Africa squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan and Ireland in UAE. South Africa are scheduled to play three ODIs against Afghanistan starting on September 18 in Sharjah. This will be followed by two T20Is and three ODIs against Ireland in Abu Dhabi beginning September 27.

Legspinner Peter and all-rounder Jason had made their T20I debuts against West Indies earlier this year in May and August 2024 respectively. The former has played two matches and picked up three wickets while Jason has only played the solitary game and had scored six runs.

However, for Simelane it is his first call-up to the international squad. The 21-year-old all-rounder has been identified as a high-potential talent and was part of the recently-concluded South Africa Emerging Tour to Zimbabwe in August. He had also represented South Africa A against Sri Lanka A in a one-day series.

Meanwhile, pacer Lungi Ngidi has recovered from an injury he suffered to his right calf, and he has been named in all three squads. He did not feature in the three-match T20I series against West Indies in August.

Head coach Rob Walter said that these tours would allow the young and fringe South African players to gain some exposure to international conditions, and that the selection of youth is to expand the pool of players in preparation for major upcoming ICC tournaments such as the home World Cup in 2027.

“We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months. This has been a deliberate move from the management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027.

“There is no doubt that tours such as these offer us this unique opportunity to provide players with international exposure in differing conditions compared to what they are used to.”

South Africa shall fly to the UAE on September 14.

South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan:Temba Bavuma (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams.

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland:Aiden Markram (C), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs and Lizaad Williams.

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland:Temba Bavuma (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams.

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