Injury blow to South Africa ahead of second T20I against Pakistan

South African pacer Anrich Nortje has been sidelined from the ongoing T20I series against Pakistan after scans confirmed a fracture in the big toe of his left foot. Initially believed to be a minor contusion, the injury will now require consultation with an orthopaedic specialist to determine his recovery timeline.  

Uncapped seamer Dayyaan Galiem has been called up as Nortje's replacement for the remaining matches of the series, scheduled for Friday and Saturday.  

Nortje's absence is a significant blow to South Africa, as he was expected to feature in upcoming ODIs against Pakistan and potentially bolster preparations for the Champions Trophy next year. Despite this setback, he is expected to regain match fitness before the tournament, with the SA20 starting in January, where he will represent the Pretoria Capitals.  

This marks Nortje’s second injury setback in 15 months. He previously missed nine months due to a stress fracture before making a strong comeback at IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup, where he was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker.  

South Africa’s bowling lineup has been plagued with injuries, with Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, and Wiaan Mulder all recovering from various issues, adding pressure to the team's resources ahead of Pakistan series.