Star batter Babar Azam has made a comeback in Pakistan’s Test team after missing out on the last two matches of the home Test series against England. Babar, who was dropped for the final two Tests, has found back his place and is part of squads for all three formats.
However, Shaheen Afridi has not found a place in the Test team yet. Afridi is a part of the Men in Green’s T20I and ODI squads but has been kept out of the Test team in order to manage his workload ahead of a hectic white-ball season.
Another star fast bowler Naseem Shah has been included in the Test and ODI squads. Meanwhile, opener Fakhar Zaman has not found a place in any of the squads.
Also read: ICC World Test Championship Points Table, WTC Table after WI vs BAN 2nd Test 2024
Pakistan announce squads for South Africa tour
The return of Babar Azam will bolster the visiting batting line-up as he will provide them the much-needed experience for the South African conditions. The Test team will continue to be led by Shan Masood.
🚨 Pakistan squads announced for South Africa tour 🚨
🗓️ 3️⃣ T20Is, 3️⃣ ODIs and 2️⃣ Tests from 10 December to 7 January 🏏
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/7wp7q1U7Yb#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/3PYbvFfSpz
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 4, 2024
Shaheen Afridi has been left out of the Test squad but has found a place for the ODIs and T20Is. Afridi was dropped alongside Babar Azam and Naseem Shah from the final two Tests against England.
Afridi’s exclusion from the Tests is part of a workload management. With him being absent, the only left-arm pacer in the squad is Mir Hamza. Senior paceman Mohammad Abbas too has found his way back into the Test team.
Abbas last played a Test in Jamaica against West Indies in August 2021. He recently had an excellent first-class season and is in good form with the ball. The 34-year-old seamer has picked up 90 wickets in 25 Tests at an average of 23.02.
Sajid Khan and Fakhar Zaman left out
Another big surprise is the exclusion of offspinner Sajid Khan from the Test team. Sajid Khan was key to Pakistan’s series win over England and was adjudged the Player of the Series for his stellar performance.
However, he was left out keeping the pace-friendly conditions in South Africa in mind. His bowling partner Noman Ali has been selected as the lone specialist spinner in the Test squad.
Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman, who was shockingly left out of the white-ball teams for the tour of Australia, continues to be out of the team. Zaman has been asked to work on his fitness by the selection committee.
Pakistan’s Test, ODI, and T20Is squads for South Africa tour
Tests: Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha
ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (C & wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)
T20Is: Mohammad Rizwan (C & wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)