Pakistan has designated its squads for an extensive tour of South Africa, incorporating three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. Key injuries have led to the exclusion of prominent players such as Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman. Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan will captain the Test and ODI teams respectively, focusing on building a strong and adaptable squad for various conditions.
Pakistan announced its squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa, which will encompass three T20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals, and two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has opted out of the Test series to ensure his readiness for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Additionally, the selectors have chosen to exclude hard-hitting opener Fakhar Zaman due to persistent fitness concerns.
Sajid Khan, despite his impressive domestic performances, has also been left out of the Test squad, with Mohammad Abbas selected instead to suit the anticipated conditions in South Africa. Shan Masood will lead the Test squad, while Mohammad Rizwan will captain the team in the limited-overs formats. Pakistan’s batting stalwart Babar Azam will feature in all three squads.
Aqib Javed, the interim white-ball head coach and selector, emphasized that the selections were made to ensure a balanced lineup for the challenges of South African pitches. Javed remarked, “Leaving out Sajid Khan…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.”
The series promises to be intensely competitive, with Pakistan aiming to secure a historic series win while continuing their preparations for the Champions Trophy through the ODIs. The upcoming matches will provide a platform for emerging players to gain exposure alongside experienced veterans.
Pakistan’s squads are as follows:
Test Squad: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), 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, Salman Ali Agha.
ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c,wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).
T20I Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c,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 Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).
The series schedule is as follows:
First T20I: December 10, Durban
Second T20I: December 13, Centurion
Third T20I: December 14, Johannesburg
First ODI: December 17, Paarl
Second ODI: December 19, Cape Town
Third ODI: December 22, Johannesburg
First Test: December 26-30, Centurion
Second Test: January 3-7, Cape Town.
The tour to South Africa represents a significant opportunity for the Pakistan cricket team as it mixes veteran players with emerging talent. The strategic decisions regarding player selections reflect a focus on balancing immediate competitive needs with long-term preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025. The contrasting formats of T20I, ODI, and Test cricket require distinctly different strategies and player skills, further highlighting the selectors’ efforts to curate suitable squads for various challenges.
In conclusion, the Pakistani cricket selectors have thoughtfully assembled squads for their tour of South Africa, reflecting a strategic approach toward balancing experience and emerging talent while preparing for future international engagements. Key players are emphasized for their roles, with notable exclusions made in consideration of player fitness and competition conditions. This series not only seeks to achieve success on the field but also aims to strategically develop the squad leading to the ICC Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
