Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been recalled for the upcoming Test series and white-ball matches against South Africa, which begin next week. However, off-spinner Sajid Khan, despite taking 19 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-1 Test series win over England, has not been included in the squad.
Pakistan is set to play three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests during the tour, starting on December 10. Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who last played in 2021, has also made a comeback to the Test team.
Selectors decided to adopt a “horses for courses” strategy, leaving Sajid Khan out because South Africa’s pitches are not very spin-friendly. Instead, they included Noman Ali as the only spinner in the squad.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s leading fast bowler, will play in the white-ball matches only, as selectors aim to manage his workload with upcoming tournaments in mind.
The team management’s decisions reflect a focus on adapting to South African conditions while balancing the players’ fitness and availability for future commitments. These moves aim to give Pakistan the best chance of success in both the Test and limited-overs formats during this important tour.
