Shaheen Shah Afridi has been omitted from Pakistan’s squad for the two-Test series against South Africa, which starts on December 26. Afridi, dropped after Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test against England in October, will remain part of the white-ball squads for the tour. Babar Azam and Naseem Shah, who were also released from the Test squad after that match, return for the South Africa Tests.
Afridi’s Future in Test Cricket Uncertain
Afridi’s absence suggests that the red-ball format is becoming less of a priority for him, a situation that might even become permanent. Since recovering from a knee injury during Pakistan’s Test tour to Sri Lanka in 2022, Afridi has played only a handful of Tests. In six matches, he has taken 17 wickets at an average of 45.47. His exclusion from this series makes it increasingly unlikely that he will regain his spot for Pakistan’s home Test series against West Indies in January.
Mohammad Abbas Makes Test Return
In contrast, Mohammad Abbas makes a return to the Test squad for the first time since 2021. Abbas, known for his metronomic accuracy, was a key player during Pakistan’s 2018-19 Test tour of South Africa. Pakistan has opted for just one spinner, Noman Ali, for the series, leaving out Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed, who had been vital in Pakistan’s recent success against England.
Khurram Shahzad returns to the Test side after recovering from a rib injury that sidelined him during Pakistan’s home series against Bangladesh. He has been in excellent form in domestic cricket, taking 13 wickets in two Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches.
Pakistan’s squad lacks high-paced bowlers, with Naseem Shah being the only true fast bowler, which could be a disadvantage on South Africa’s pace-friendly surfaces. South Africa’s squad, on the other hand, boasts a battery of fast bowlers capable of delivering high speeds.
Pakistan will play three T20Is and three ODIs in South Africa between December 10 and 22. Following that, they will play two Tests in Centurion and Cape Town.
Pakistan squads for South Africa tour:
Tests: Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), 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
ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (capt, 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, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk)
T20Is: Mohammad Rizwan (capt, 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, Usman Khan (wk)
Leave a Reply