Captain Temba Bavuma ruled out as Proteas kick off WTC title defence in Pakistan

Bavuma picked up the injury in the recent ODI series in England and will be for sidelined for six to eight weeks, making him doubtful for the tour to India in November.

The 16-man squad sees a recall for 36-year-old off-spinner Simon Harmer, who last played for the Proteas in March 2023, and top-order batter Zubayr Hamza.

Harmer joins Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen as the specialist spinners in the group with first-choice slow-bowler Keshav Maharaj only available for the second Test as he is recovering from a groin injury.

Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder will make up the seam-bowling contingent with Lungi Ngidi only selected in the white-ball squads.

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad said: "Naturally, we are disappointed not to have Temba available. He has been such an important leader and batter for us in the Test side, and his presence on and off the field will be missed.

"At the same time, the majority of the Test squad have experience of playing in the subcontinent and understand the demands that come with it, so I'm confident they will embrace the challenge.

"Pakistan is one of the tougher places to tour, and with spin-friendly conditions expected and Keshav only available from the second game, it was important to have an experienced campaigner like Simon in the squad to provide extra depth in the spin department."

The series in Pakistan will be the first assignment for the Proteas as they kick off the defence of the World Test Championship title that they won in June.

The Test series will kick on 12 October at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore with the second and final game to be played in Rawalpindi from 20 October.

Proteas Test squad: Aiden Markram (captain), 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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