Injured Lungi Ngidi to miss Pakistan series

South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi will miss all South Africa’s matches against Pakistan this season after suffering a knee injury.

South Africa paceman Lungi Ngidi will miss three Tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals during Pakistan’s tour between December 24 and February 6.

South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi will miss all South Africa’s matches against Pakistan this season after suffering a knee injury.

In a statement on Friday, Cricket South Africa said Ngidi, 22, had sustained a right knee ligament injury while fielding in a Twenty20 international against Australia last week. Mohammed Moosajee, the team manager and doctor, said investigations and assessments on his return to South Africa had revealed a “significant” injury which will require a minimum of 12 weeks rest and rehabilitation.

Ngidi will miss three Tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals during Pakistan’s tour between December 24 and February 6. The one-day matches are regarded as key in South Africa’s build-up to the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

Ngidi took 6-39 on Test debut against India last season and formed part of a formidable fast bowling trio with Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada during South Africa’s one-day series win in Australia recently.