The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the squads for the upcoming South Africa tour, featuring 15 players for Test matches and separate lineups for ODIs and T20Is. Shan Masood remains captain, while Babar Azam and Naseem Shah return. Notable exclusions include Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan, with strategic reasons cited for their absence. The squads aim to balance skill and fitness as the team prepares for competitive engagements.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has revealed the 15-member squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa, which includes three T20 Internationals, three One Day Internationals, and two Test matches. Shan Masood has retained his role as Test captain following a successful series against England. The Test lineup witnesses the return of Babar Azam and Naseem Shah, both of whom were absent from the concluding home Tests against England.
Significantly, the ODI squad has excluded Fakhar Zaman due to ongoing fitness and performance concerns, while promising spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Moqeem are included in the squad for the tour. Notably, Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan have been left out of the Test squad. Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s head coach, explained the rationale behind Shaheen’s omission, stating it was a strategic move aimed at maintaining his physical and mental readiness for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Regarding Sajid Khan, whose contributions were instrumental during the home series against England, Javed noted that the decision to exclude him was challenging, yet necessary given the pace-supportive conditions anticipated in Centurion and Cape Town. Consequently, Mohammad Abbas has been included in the squad as an adept seam bowler.
For the Test series, the squad comprises Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper). Meanwhile, the ODI and T20I squads feature prominent players such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Haris Rauf, among others, solidifying a strong contingent for the tour.
The announcement of Pakistan’s cricket squad for the South Africa tour marks a significant moment in the team’s strategy as they prepare for a competitive series. With the selection process heavily influenced by player fitness and performance levels, the inclusion and exclusion of key players highlight the intentions of the coaching staff to balance immediate success with long-term player management, particularly in light of upcoming global tournaments such as the ICC Champions Trophy.
The composition of Pakistan’s squad for the South Africa tour reflects deliberate strategic choices aimed at optimizing player performance while considering future tournaments. The exclusions of Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan underscore a focus on player fitness and suitability to conditions, with a blend of seasoned stalwarts and youthful talent ready to represent the nation. The coaching staff’s decisions are pivotal for the team’s preparations moving forward.
Original Source: www.sportingnews.com
