DUBAI // South Africa suffered a major blow on the eve of the second Test against Pakistan when top-ranked batsman Hashim Amla was ruled out on Tuesday and paceman Dale Steyn was in doubt because of a tight right hamstring.
Last week, Amla flew home after the Proteas lost the first Test by seven wickets to be with his wife, expecting a child.
Team manager Dr. Mohammed Moosajee says, “unfortunately, Hashim’s wife hasn’t given birth yet, so he won’t be playing in tomorrow’s Test match.”
Steyn’s hamstring tightened during Sunday practice and has had an MRI. Moosajee says they may wait until the morning of the match to determine if he can play.
Cricket South Africa and the BCCI also issued a joint statement Tuesday confirming an upcoming tour of South Africa for India as the two sides finally agreed to a series involving two Tests and there limited-overs internationals.
The organisations ended months of speculation and intrigue, saying the decision was taken after meetings in London where the itinerary as well as the conduct of CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat were discussed.
The statement said the International Cricket Council will investigate controversial comments in the media by former legal adviser David Becker about the BCCI and Lorgat’s suspected role in the matter.
CSA has ordered Lorgat to withdraw from ICC- and BCCI-related matters pending the investigation.
India had originally been scheduled to play two Twenty20 games, seven ODIs and three tests from late November.
