Cricket
Bavuma to miss 1st ODI against Pakistan─── MORGAN PIEK 10:00 Tue, 17 Dec 2024
![Bavuma to miss 1st ODI against Pakistan Bavuma to miss 1st ODI against Pakistan | News Article](https://oscar.ofm.co.za/img/bb1d9bea-e1aa-469d-9c1c-97546db1c38c.png?crop=0,23,800,473)
The Proteas will play just their seventh One-Day International of 2024 when they face Pakistan on Tuesday (17/12) in Paarl.
The two teams are set to compete in a three-match ODI series as part of their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The Proteas will draw significant confidence from their recent 2-0 victory in the T20 International series against Pakistan. The Champions Trophy, regarded as the second-most prestigious 50-over tournament after the World Cup, is on the horizon, and the Proteas are maintaining their strategy of managing player workloads.
Although captain of the series, Temba Bavuma has confirmed he will not be playing in today’s match. “I won’t be involved in the game on Tuesday, and, again, that’s from a load management point of view, considering the series we’ve just come from and what lies ahead.
‘That’s the challenge we currently face’
“Decisions like that throughout the ODI series will also be applied to other individuals,” Bavuma added. “That’s the challenge we currently face. The guys who were involved in the Test series against Sri Lanka weren’t part of the T20 series against Pakistan – they got a few days to recharge their batteries and prepare for the coming weeks.
“It’s an important few weeks for both the ODI and Test squads, so that has been part of our conversations. We’ll be ensuring players’ energy levels are where they need to be.
“It’s very likely there will be load management, firstly from an ODI perspective, and in the bigger picture, considering what’s at stake in the Test arena.” The match at Boland Park in Paarl is scheduled to begin at 14:00.
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg/mvh