Donovan Ferreira, an all-rounder with nine international caps to his name, will be leading South Africa in the three-match T20I series in Pakistan, starting October 28.
Who is South Africa's captain in T20Is when everyone is available?
Aiden Markram, South Africa’s Test and ODI vice-captain, is their default captain in T20Is. Markram had led them to the 2014 U19 World Cup title as well as the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Markram had led South Africa in the Test series in Pakistan in Temba Bavuma’s absence, and will feature in the Test series in India in November as well. South Africa rested him for the limited-overs leg of the Pakistan tour. They appointed Matthew Breetzke as ODI captain, while David Miller was to lead them in the T20Is.
Why is Donovan Ferreira leading South Africa in Pakistan?
Miller sustained a hamstring strain ahead of the Pakistan tour. Scans revealed a grade one tear, forcing him out of the tour. Miller will now begin a rehabilitation program. Ferreira will lead South Africa in the T20Is instead.
Ferreira has played only nine T20Is. He has never scored a fifty and averages only 19, but strikes at 177. In all T20s, that strike rate reads 168 to go with an average of 29. Additionally, he bowls off-breaks and can keep wicket.
The South Africa squad features seniors like Quinton de Kock and their stand-in ODI captain Breetzke. However, they made it clear that they look at Ferreira as a leadership candidate. He led South Africa in a T20I against Namibia on October 11, and leads the Titans in domestic cricket.
South Africa squad for Pakistan T20Is
Donovan Ferreira (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke
South Africa schedule for Pakistan T20Is
All timings local
October 28, 8pm: 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
October 31, 8pm: 2nd T20I, Lahore
November 1, 8pm: 3rd T20I, Lahore
