LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — World champion South Africa faces a stern spin challenge in Pakistan without two of its key players when both teams kickstart their next World Test Championship campaigns on Sunday.

Proteas regular captain Temba Bavuma will miss the two-test series because of strained calf. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is only available for the second test because of a groin injury.

“We’re going to miss Temba a lot, of course, he’s our leader,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said Saturday.

“We don’t need to give him any introductions. He’s a batter firstly for us that has been doing incredibly well … and then naturally the leadership as well. It is a big miss for us, but the other boys are pulling together and trying to get us off to a good start.”

Bavuma led the Proteas

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