Pakistan name squads for all-format tour of South Africa; Babar Azam returns for SA vs PAK 2024 Test series
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for their upcoming all-format tour of South Africa. The two teams will play three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests, starting with the shortest format on December 10 in Durban.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been named in all three squads while Naseem Shah made it to only Test and ODI teams. Shaheen Shah Afridi will play both the white-ball formats.
After claiming 31 scalps in five matches in the Quaid-E-Azam Trophy, right-arm seamer Mohammad Abbas has returned to the fold, having last played a Test in 2021.
Khurram Shahzad, who made his Test debut against Australia last year, marks his return, while Mir Hamza is the fourth pacer in the Test squad. Nevertheless, Sajid Khan has missed out despite taking 19 wickets in the two Tests in the home series against England. That leaves left-arm spinner Noman Ali as the lone spin-bowling option in the squad.
Leg-spinner Sufiyan Moqim has earned his first call-up to the ODI squad after his highly penetrating spells against Zimbabwe recently.
Pakistan Test squad: 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.
ODI Squad: 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).
T20I squad: 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)
"We have adopted a horses for courses policy" - Pakistan's white-ball coach
Pakistan's white-ball coach and member of the selection committee Aaqib Javed has justified Sajid Khan's axing, claiming that the pace-bowling conditions in South Africa meant Mohammad Abbas was recalled. He said, as quoted by pcb.co.pk:
"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 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 revealed that Fakhar Zaman was not selected due to his lack of form and match fitness.
"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. Our aim is to maintain consistency in ODI selections as part of our ICC Champions Trophy 2025 preparations, while also giving emerging talent opportunities in T20Is alongside experienced players," he added.
The T20I squad will leave for South Africa on December 6 after the third T20I against Zimbabwe, while the Test and ODI players will depart on the 13th. Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie will also arrive in Johannesburg on the 13th.