Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma ruled out of first ODI against Afghanistan

The three 50-over internationals in the UAE will be the first time the Proteas meet Afghanistan in a bilateral series.

The countries last met in the T20 World Cup semi-final in June when the Proteas won by five wickets before going on to lose the final against India.

The stadium in Sharjah, where all three matches against Afghanistan will be played, is a happy hunting ground for the Proteas as they have won 10 out 12 ODIs at the venue.

South Africa have though not played a 50-over contest at the venue since 2013 and have selected relatively inexperienced squad for the tour.

The Proteas' bowling attack especially will have a new feel to it with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shami all missing from the squad.

Lungi Ngidi is set to lead the pace attack while leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter could be in line to make his 50-over international debut.

With Bavuma absent, there is extra responsibility for big runs from Markram while middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs will want to make to establish himself in the ODI format.

Following the series in Sharjah, the Proteas will move on to Abu Dhabi to take on Ireland in two T20Is and three ODIs.

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