Pakistan Announces Squad For South Africa Tour, Babar Azam Included
Pakistan has announced the squad for the upcoming South Africa tour, in which Babar Azam, along with Mohammad Rizwan, Sam Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha, have been included in the three squads. The tour comprises three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests, which will be played from December 10 to January 7. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who missed the last two Tests against England, has been selected for the white-ball matches under workload management. Naseem Shah has been selected for the Tests and ODIs.
SHAHEEN AFRIDI NOT INCLUDED IN TEST SQUAD
Aaqib Javed, a member of the selection committee and interim white-ball head coach, said,
"The exclusion of Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure that he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.".
Similarly, Fakhar Zaman's name was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who last played in Jamaica in August 2021, is also returning to the Test team. Naseem has also been included in the four-man fast bowling attack after missing the last two Tests against England.
SAJID KHAN DROPPED FROM TEAM DESPITE BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE
Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who took 15 wickets for Pakistan Shaheen against Sri Lanka 'A' last month, has also been included in the Test squad. Mir Hamza is the fourth fast bowler in the 15-member Test squad.
It was a very difficult decision to leave out Sajid Khan despite his brilliant performance against England. However, given the conditions favourable to the fast bowlers in Centurion and Cape Town, we picked Mohammad Abbas, who is a great seam bowling player.
The series begins with the first T20I in Durban on December 10, followed by the first ODI in Paarl on December 17. The Test matches will be played in Centurion and Cape Town on December 26 and January 3, respectively.
PAKISTAN'S SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
TEST SQUAD - Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Amir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sameem Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
ODI SQUAD - Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).
T20I SQUAD - Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saieem Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Moqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).