The PCB has unveiled the Test squad for the upcoming South Africa tour, with notable exclusions including Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan. Babar Azam and Naseem Shah return to the squad, and Mohammad Abbas makes a comeback. The only chosen spinner is Noman Ali. The selections aim to adapt to South Africa’s pace-friendly conditions, while the strategic focus also considers future competitions, particularly the ICC Champions Trophy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa set to begin on December 10. Notably absent from the lineup are left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi and the high-performing spinner Sajid Khan, despite Khan’s impressive performance against England where he secured 19 wickets. The squad sees the return of captain Babar Azam and pacer Naseem Shah after they were rested during the home series, while Mohammad Abbas rejoins the team. The only specialist spinner selected is Noman Ali.
Sajid Khan’s exclusion has raised eyebrows given his critical contribution to Pakistan’s recent Test victories. He notably achieved a nine-wicket haul in Multan and demonstrated his batting prowess with an unbeaten 48 runs in Rawalpindi. Aqib Javed, a member of the selection committee, explained that the decision was made to adapt to the pace-friendly conditions expected in South Africa. In contrast, Shaheen Afridi’s absence has been attributed to long-term considerations, particularly regarding the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, although he remains part of the ODI and T20I squads for the tour.
This article covers the recent adjustments to the Pakistan Test squad ahead of their series against South Africa, offering context regarding player performance and selection decisions. Given the team’s recent success in Test cricket, the choices made by the PCB reflect strategic planning aimed at both immediate performance and future tournaments. The omission of prominent players like Afridi and Khan highlights the competitive nature of selection in international cricket.
In summary, the PCB’s announcement of the Test squad for South Africa reflects strategic selections aimed at leveraging both current performance and future tournament considerations. The absence of key players such as Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan, despite their past contributions, underscores the balancing act faced by the selectors in assembling a well-rounded team. As the team prepares for the upcoming series, the decision will be closely analyzed in light of the squad’s success or challenges against South Africa.
Original Source: thesportstak.com
