Ottneil Baartman Ruled Out of Must-Win ODI Against Pakistan

South Africa has suffered a blow ahead of the crucial third One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan, with fast bowler Ottneil Baartman ruled out due to a knee injury. The match is scheduled to take place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. Baartman's replacement, Corbin Bosch, will join the team to bolster the bowling unit.

Baartman injured his right knee during the warm-up for the second game of the series and has been sent back home for further assessments. This is the second injury blow for South Africa, following the decision to rule out Keshav Maharaj due to a left abductor strain earlier in the week. Maharaj, who suffered a groin strain during the warm-ups for the first ODI, is set to undergo a scan on Thursday to determine the severity of his injury. With the series currently at 2-0 in favor of Pakistan, South Africa will be relying heavily on its remaining players to turn the tide in their favor.

The absence of Baartman is a significant blow for the team, but the inclusion of injured duo Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder in the Test squad to face Pakistan over the festive season may offer some solace. Mulder, who also suffered a similar groin strain, is also set to undergo another scan on Thursday. The team has bolstered its seam bowling cover by calling up two uncapped players in Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka.

The third ODI against Pakistan is poised to be a crucial one for South Africa, and the pressure is on the team to mount a strong challenge against their opponents. The team will be hoping to bounce back from the early setbacks and turn the series around, but they face a daunting task ahead, especially with their depleted bowling lineup.