South Africa's Lungi Ngidi ruled out of Pakistan series with knee injury

Lungi Ngidi has been sidelined for almost three months after sustaining the injury on the ground while playing against Australia in the one-off T20I

After suffering a devastating knee injury, South Africa speedster Lungi Ngidi will not play for his side in the upcoming home series against Pakistan. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for almost three months after sustaining the injury on the ground while playing against Australia in the one-off T20I. South Africa will host the series against Pakistan in December 2018 - January 2019. 

Ngidi wanted to return to the field to bowl the last six balls in the T20I match, which ultimately turned out to be a 10-overs-side affair. Sadly, the injury turned out to be quite serious.

"Lungi fell awkwardly while fielding during the T20I against Australia last Sunday. He underwent investigations and further assessments with knee specialists upon his return to South Africa, which revealed a significant ligament injury to the right knee,” South Africa team manager Dr. Mohammad Moosajee told Cricbuzz.

“Due to the significant nature of the injury, he will require a minimum of 12 weeks of rest and rehabilitation to make a successful return to play," he added.

With the World Cup just few months away, Ngidis’s absence particularly in the ODI format can highly affect South Africa’s bowling department preparations for the big-ticket event.