World Cup 2023: Here’s why South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada is not playing today’s game against Pakistan

In the 26th match of the ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan and South Africa are currently battling it out at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This game holds significant importance for Pakistan, who are eager to secure a crucial victory after suffering three consecutive losses, in a bid to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Similarly, the Proteas are aiming to maintain their dominance and secure the number one position in the points table, which is currently held by the hosts, India.

Last-minute changes in playing XIs

Both teams made some last-minute adjustments to their playing XIs ahead of this high-stakes encounter. Pakistan opted to exclude Hasan Ali and Usama Mir in favuor of Mohammad Wasim Jr and Mohammad Nawaz.

Meanwhile, South Africa witnessed the return of their captain, Temba Bavuma, who had been absent from a couple of games. Additionally, South Africa implemented two more changes by bringing in Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi, while Kagiso Rabada, Reeza Hendricks, and Lizaad Williams found themselves excluded from the lineup.

“Three changes – I come back, Tabriz Shamsi and Ngidi come in. Reeza Hendricks, Rabada, and Lizaad Williams miss out,” announced Bavuma during the toss.

Also WATCH: World Cup 2023 – Muhammad Rizwan and Marco Jansen get involved into heated verbal altercation during PAK vs SA clash

Kagiso Rabada’s absence explained

Though Captain Bavuma did not elaborate on the reason for Rabada’s absence during the toss, an official update from Cricket South Africa (CSA) clarified that the fast bowler had been sidelined as a precautionary measure due to a lower back spasm.

🪙 𝑻𝑶𝑺𝑺

🇵🇰Pakistan have won the toss & will bat first 🏏

Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out (lower back spasm)#PakvSA #CWC23 #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/v0p1kYBfQm

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 27, 2023

Playing XI of both sides:

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf

Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023 – Here’s how Pakistan can still qualify for the semi-finals