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Pakistan will face South Africa in a two-match Test series that starts on December 26 in Centurion. Apart from the two red-ball matches, both teams will play three T20Is and three ODIs against each other.
While Babar Azam (right) has found a place in all three squads, Shaheen Afridi has been snubbed for Tests. (AFP Photo)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday (December 4) announced Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming all-format tour of South Africa. Pakistan will face the Proteas in three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches from December 10 to January 7. Former captain Babar Azam, who was dropped from the Test team for the last two matches against England in October, is back in the side for the two red-ball matches along with star fast bowler Naseem Shah, but there was no place for left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi in the side.
Shaheen is, however, included in both the white-ball teams. Babar is part of all three teams, but Naseem was not considered for the T20I side and will play only in the Tests and ODIs.
Apart from Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha are included in all three squads.
According to PCB release, Shaheen is picked for the white-ball matches as part of his workload management so that he is in his best fitness and form for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who last played a Test match for Pakistan in August 2021, is back in the side after taking 31 wickets in five matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
But there was no place for off-spinner Sajid Khan, who picked up 19 wickets in the last two Tests against England. Noman Ali is the only specialist spinner picked in the 15-member Test team.
Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who dismissed five Zimbabwe batters for three runs in 2.4 overs on Tuesday (December 3) during the second T20I, is picked in the ODI team for the first time in his career.
Pakistan 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, 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, 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, Usman Khan (WK)
