De Kock and du Plessis out of Pakistan T20Is

Quinton de Kock has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan. The wicketkeeper batsman sustained a groin injury during the fifth ODI against Pakistan, and will need a period of treatment and rehabilitation to make a full recovery. Cape Cobras' Janneman Malan has been called up as replacement. Also, at the end of the first T20I, captain Faf du Plessis announced that he would rest for the remainder of the series.

"Quinton sustained an injury to his left groin while fielding during the last ODI on Wednesday," South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said. "He will be unable to take part in the T20I series against Pakistan and we are hopeful he will be fit for selection for the Test series against Sri Lanka starting in Durban on February 13."

As a top-order batsman, Malan has already built a healthy reputation across formats for Cape Cobras in franchise cricket and Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League. He formed a potent opening partnership with de Kock in the MSL, scoring 305 runs in the tournament, including two fifties, as Blitz reached the final.

Malan, 22, is the youngest of three cricket-playing brothers and is not the first to be included in a South Africa squad. His oldest brother Pieter was called up to the Test squad in the New Year as injury cover for Aiden Markram, though he did not manage to debut. Middle sibling Andre plies his trade for Western Province in Cricket South Africa's provincial league.

"Janneman was one of the standout players during the Mzansi Super League and has been putting in the runs consistently at franchise level," Selection Convener Linda Zondi said. "He is an exciting young prospect, this is a great opportunity for us to continue blooding players at international level."