South Africa picks uncapped Hamza for Pakistan series

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has selected Zubayr Hamza, the 23-year-old Cape Cobras batsman, in the 13-man South African squad for the upcoming three-match Test series, scheduled to begin in late December.

If selected in the final XI, Hamza can make his Test debut against Pakistan on Boxing Day, December 26. “Zubayr has been one of the standout cricketers in domestic cricket over the past year and carried that form into the South Africa A tour to India where he averaged over 50 in the four-day series against tough opposition and under tough conditions,” commented CSA National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi, quoted sports24.co.za.

“Before that, he had an outstanding season in the four-day franchise competition where he scored 823 runs, including three centuries, at the impressive average of 69.

“His selection is part of our vision for the future as we start to feed new players into the system. It is inevitable that some of our senior players will start thinking of retiring in years to come and it is vital that we have a good succession plan in place. We will continue to identify young players with the potential to become future Proteas,” Zondi added.

If Hamza manages to get into the final XI he will become the 100th player to represent the Proteas in the Test format.