Pakistan announce squads for multi-format South Africa tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced squads for the all-format tour of South Africa. Spanning from December 10 to January 7, the tour includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches.

The selection committee, led by interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed, has adopted a strategic approach, carefully considering the specific conditions and challenges of South African venues. This selection process has been made, particularly with an eye on the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Babar Azam remains a crucial member, named across all three formats. Alongside him, Mohammad Rizwan will captain the white-ball squads. The squad also includes players like Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha who have performed consistently for the Men in Green.

In the Test squad, Mohammad Abbas has been called back after an impressive performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he claimed 31 wickets in five matches. Talents like Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad will take charge of the bowling lineup.

Also Read: Reports: ICC to meet on December 5 as uncertainty over Champions Trophy 2025 continues

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision: Aqib Javed

Some notable omissions have sparked discussion, most prominently the exclusion of off-spinner Sajid Khan. Despite his stellar 19 wickets against England, the selectors opted for a pace-heavy approach, considering the conditions at Centurion and Cape Town.

“We have adopted a horses-for-courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa. Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, was an extremely tough decision. However, considering the pace-friendly conditions at Centurion and in Cape Town, we opted for Mohammad Abbas instead, who is an outstanding exponent of seam bowling," Aqib Javed said in a statement.

Furthermore, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been excluded from the Test squad as he is looking to maintain his fitness and form for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was not considered due to ongoing fitness and form concerns.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness," Javed added.

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