New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- South Africa's Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the team's first assignment in their World Test Championship (WTC) title defence, against Pakistan, after suffering a calf strain. Bavuma picked up the injury during the recent white-ball tour of England and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Aiden Markram will lead the Test side, as per ESPNcricinfo.

The squad has also seen a recall for offspinner Simon Harmer, who last played a Test in March 2023. He joins Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen in the spin attack. First-choice spinner Keshav Maharaj, recovering from a groin injury sustained in England, will only be available for the second Test.

In another big develo...