KwaZulu-Natal Coastal batsman Marques Ackerman will captain the South African Invitation XI against Pakistan in December.

The left-handed Ackerman averages 40.81 after 25 first-class fixtures, including three centuries and nine half-tons, since November 2015’s debut. He has also represented the South Africa Emerging Players and South Africa U19.

The three-day fixture will be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni – and precedes the three-Test series in Centurion, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The squad will be coached by the veteran Shukri Conrad – and also features talented wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Breetzke. Breetzke was a non-playing member of the Proteas’ squad for the recent limited-overs series against Zimbabwe.

Franchise duo – the Cape Cobras’ Simon Khomari and Titans’ Rivaldo Moonsamy – have also been included.

Meanwhile, Pakistan might have to go without seamer Mohammad Abbas for the Tests against South Africa.

Abbas has been all but ruled out of early December’s third and final Test against New Zealand. He will likely be sidelined by a shoulder injury, which was sustained during the second Test.

South African Invitation XI squad: Marques Ackerman (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal, captain), Matthew Breezke (Warriors), Tshepang Dithole (Gauteng), Simon Khomari (Cape Cobras), Thandolwethu Mnyaka (Free State), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Titans), Tshepo Ndwandwa (South Western Districts), Onke Nyaku (Eastern Province), Joshua Richards (Gauteng), Kyle Simmonds (Boland), Rubin Trumpelman (Northerns), Lwandiswa Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).