Pakistan announce teams for multi-format South Africa tour

The teams for the all-format tour of South Africa have been revealed by the Pakistan Cricket Board. The tour, which runs from December 10 to January 7, consists of two Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

Under the direction of interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed, the selection committee has taken a calculated approach, giving great thought to the unique circumstances and difficulties of South African locations. This selection process was carried out, especially in anticipation of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Named in all three formats, Babar Azam continues to be an essential player. Mohammad Rizwan will lead the white-ball teams alongside him. Players that have regularly performed for the Men in Green, such as Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub, are also included in the squad.

Following a stellar showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he took 31 wickets in five games, Mohammad Abbas was invited back into the Test team. The bowling squad will be led by talented players like Khurram Shahzad and Naseem Shah.

The decision to leave Shaheen Shah Afridi out of the Test team was made strategically: Javed Aqib

Discussion has been triggered by a few noteworthy omissions, chief among them being the removal of off-spinner Sajid Khan. Given the circumstances at Centurion and Cape Town, the selectors chose a pace-heavy strategy despite his outstanding 19 wickets against England.

To guarantee that all three squads are balanced and able to play well in South Africa, we have implemented a horses-for-courses philosophy. Despite Sajid Khan’s outstanding efforts against England, it was a very difficult choice to leave him off. However, we decided to go with Mohammad Abbas, who is a superb example of seam bowling, given the pace-friendly circumstances at Centurion and in Cape Town,” Aqib Javed said in a statement.

In addition, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been left out of the Test team in order to preserve his form and fitness for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Fakhar Zaman was also passed over because of persistent issues with his form and fitness.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence from the Test team is a calculated move to keep him healthy and ready for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Fakhar Zaman was also disregarded since he hasn’t yet recovered his form and match fitness, Javed continued.

Pakistan squads for South Africa tour:

Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), 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 (captain & 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 (captain & 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)

Tour schedule:

10 Dec – First T20I, Durban

13 Dec – Second T20I, Centurion

14 Dec – Third T20I, Johannesburg

17 Dec – First ODI, Paarl

19 Dec – Second ODI, Cape Town

22 Dec – Third ODI, Johannesburg

26-30 Dec – First Test, Centurion

3-7 Jan – Second Test, Cape Town