THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Centurion, Dec 29: India added right-arm fast bowler Avesh Khan to their squad on Friday in an attempt to reinforce their pace attack for the second and final Test in Cape Town against South Africa which will be played from January 3-7.
On Thursday, India suffered a defeat in the first Test by an innings and 32 runs, concluding the match in just three days.
Shami’s replacement
The BCCI medical team did not grant Mohammed Shami the necessary clearance, leading to his exclusion from the two Tests. Consequently, the right-arm fast bowler Avesh Khan was chosen as a replacement for him.
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“The Men’s Selection Committee has named Mr Avesh Khan as a replacement for Mr Mohd. Shami for the second Test against South Africa to be played from 3rd-7th January 2024 in Cape Town,” BCCI stated in a release.
Took Fifer against South Africa A
Avesh is currently playing for the India A team in a four-day tour match at Benoni versus South Africa A. In the first innings, he delivered an impressive performance, taking 5 wickets for 54 runs in 23.3 overs to contribute to bowling out the hosts for 263.
Before the Tests, the 27-year-old Avesh collected six wickets in three matches during India’s triumphant ODI series against South Africa. In 38 first-class games he has taken 149 wickets at an average of 22.65.