SA vs PAK: Pakistan recall Babar Azam, Naseem Shah to test squad, Shaheen Afridi selected only in white-ball squads

The SA vs PAK test series is part of the ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle.

Pakistan are set to visit South Africa for an all-format tour, starting on December 10. The tour will see the Asian giants play three T20Is, three ODIs, and two test matches against the Proteas.

Both teams are heading into the series with a lot to prove. Pakistan will be looking to build on their recent performances, including a remarkable turnaround against England in the home test series, while South Africa will look to improve their performance in the T20 format after their embarrassing series defeat against India at home.

Pakistan have announced their squads for all three formats. Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have been recalled to the test squad. However, star pacer Shaheen Afridi continues to be left out of the test squad as a part of the workload management strategy ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Selector and interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed said, “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.”

Key selections and omissions

Alongside Babar and Naseem, Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, and Mir Hamza have also returned to the test squad.

Sajid Khan has been dropped from the test squad. Sajid was pivotal in Pakistan’s 2-1 series win against England in October. Pakistan has opted to go with a lone spinner, Noman Ali, in the test squad.

“Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, was an extremely tough and difficult 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,” Javed explained.

Meanwhile, in the white-ball squads, Sufyan Moqeem has earned his maiden call-up to the ODI side, after his impressive performances in the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan squads against South Africa:

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)

Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024 Schedule:

First T20I, December 10, DurbanSecond T20I, December 13, CenturionThird T20I, December 14, Johannesburg

First ODI, December 17, PaarlSecond ODI, December 19, Cape TownThird ODI, December 22, Johannesburg

First Test, December 26-30, CenturionSecond Test, January 3-7, Cape Town

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