Malik Waqar
Former Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat has been appointed as the bowling consultant for the South Africa men’s cricket team for the tri-nation ODI series against hosts Pakistan and New Zealand.
Arafat, who represented Pakistan in three Tests, 11 ODIs and 13 T20Is, reached here from London and has already joined the Proteas ahead of their training session for their tri-nation ODI series campaign opener against New Zealand on February 10.
Arafat is the first Pakistani cricketer to complete an ECB Level 4 coaching course from Loughborough University.
The former all-rounder has vast experience of working as the bowling coach as he has worked with county teams like Sussex and Surrey, as well as with Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) franchise, Perth Scorchers. He has also served as Pakistan’s High-Performance Coach and the bowling coach for the Hong Kong national team.
Reacting to his appointment, Yasir Arafat termed it a ‘great opportunity’ to work with an established team like South Africa and shared that he was given the role due to the familiarity of the conditions.
“It is a good opportunity for me to work with the South Africa team. I’ve been given the role because of my familiarity with the conditions here,” said Arafat.
The bowling consultant acknowledged that the absence of senior players makes a difference but remained confident in the youngsters’ abilities to excel under pressure.
“Not many players were available due to T20 league and injuries but this is a good opportunity for young players,” Arafat stated.
“Unavailability of experienced players makes a difference but youngsters are also talented,” he added.
He concluded by terming the tri-nation ODI series helpful in preparing for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Two additions
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday, added two international players to their inexperienced squad for the first match of the upcoming tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 10.
According to the CSA, left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and right-arm pacer Lungi Ngidi have been added to their 12-member squad for the aforementioned fixture.
“Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi have been added to the squad for South Africa’s first match of the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand on 10 February,” CSA announced.
Shamsi and Ngidi, who have played 124 and 125 international matches for South Africa respectively, will add experience to their young squad, led by Temba Bavuma.
Ngidi last played an ODI in October last year against Ireland, while Shamsi was a part of South Africa’s most-recent series in the format against Pakistan in December last year.
The Proteas squad features six uncapped players, Matthew Breetzke, Meeka-eel Prince, Gideon Peters, Eathan Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy and Mihlali Mpongwana as their several first-choice players are participating in the ongoing edition of the SA20.
South Africa’s preliminary squad also had right-arm pacer Gerald Coetzee but was later ruled out of the series and the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 after sustaining a groin injury during a training session.
According to a report, young fast-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch and right-arm pacer Lutho Sipamla are the frontrunners to replace Gerald Coetzee for the eight-team tournament.
South Africa squad for first match of tri-nation ODI series:
Batters: Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke
Wicketkeepers: Kyle Verrynne and Meeka-eel Prince
All-rounders: Wiaan Mulder, Jason Smith, Mihlali Mpongwana and Senuran Muthusamy
Bowlers: Junior Dala, Gideon Peters, Eathan Bosch, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi.
