The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the upcoming South Africa tour, which will commence on December 10. Pakistan will play three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests during the tour, which will end on January 7, 2025.
Babar Azam has been included in all three formats, alongside Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha. The captaincy has been assigned to Shan Masood for the Test team, while Mohammad Rizwan will lead the T20I and ODI sides.
The national team arrives in South Africa after a strong performance against Zimbabwe, having won the 2-1 ODI series and secured a 2-0 lead in the T20I series. The Green Shirts will look to build momentum for the 2025 Champions Trophy, set to be held in Pakistan next year.
Selectors have excluded Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test squad as part of workload management, ensuring he stays fresh and fit for the Champions Trophy. In contrast, Shaheen will feature in the T20I and ODI squads.
Mohammad Abbas, who has been in excellent form, returns to the Test side after a long break, last playing in August 2021. His stellar performance in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, with 31 wickets in five matches, earned him a spot. Additionally, Sufyan Moqim, the left-arm wrist spinner, has earned a maiden call-up for ODIs after an impressive T20I series.
The selectors have also named fast bowlers Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza for the Test squad, with the former having claimed 15 wickets for Pakistan Shaheens against Sri Lanka “A.” Meanwhile, Noman Ali, a specialist spinner, has been included in the Test squad, with selectors opting not to include Sajid Khan, despite his excellent performance against England.
Aqib Javed, interim head coach for white-ball formats, explained that the squads are well-balanced to adapt to South Africa’s conditions. The goal for the ODI squad is to build momentum for the Champions Trophy, while the T20I series will help blend experienced players with emerging talent.
The T20I squad will depart for South Africa on December 6 after the third T20I against Zimbabwe. The ODI and Test squads will leave for Johannesburg on December 13, with red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie joining the team for the pre-Test series camp.
Squads:
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).
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).
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.
Tour Fixtures:
- December 10 – First T20I, Durban
- December 13 – Second T20I, Centurion
- December 14 – Third T20I, Johannesburg
- December 17 – First ODI, Paarl
- December 19 – Second ODI, Cape Town
- December 22 – Third ODI, Johannesburg
- December 26-30 – First Test, Centurion
- January 3-7 – Second Test, Cape Town
This tour promises to be crucial for Pakistan’s preparations for the Champions Trophy in 2025, where the team aims to strengthen its combinations and fine-tune strategies across all formats.
