Pakistan Announces Squads for South Africa Tour with Key Exclusions
Pakistan’s squads for their tour of South Africa include three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. Shaheen Afridi is sidelined for the Tests to prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, while Sajid Khan has been omitted in favor of Mohammad Abbas. Shan Masood will captain the Test side, with Mohammad Rizwan leading in the white-ball formats. The series aims to blend emerging talent with experience in preparation for the Champions Trophy.
The Pakistan cricket team has announced its squads for the anticipated tour of South Africa, which encompasses eight matches, including three T20 Internationals (T20Is), three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Notably, star pacer Shaheen Afridi will be absent from the Test series to focus on his preparation for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025. Additionally, hard-hitting opener Fakhar Zaman has been omitted due to persistent fitness issues.
The selection committee has also decided against including Sajid Khan in the Test squad, despite his impressive domestic form. Instead, Mohammad Abbas has been included, given the conditions anticipated during the tour in South Africa. Shan Masood has been appointed captain for the Test matches, whereas Mohammad Rizwan will lead in the one-day formats. Babar Azam is among a core group of players included in all three squads.
“We have adopted a horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa,” stated selector and interim head coach for white-ball cricket, Aqib Javed. He further emphasized the challenging conditions the team will face, stating, “Leaving out Sajid Khan… was an extremely tough and difficult decision. However, considering the pace-friendly conditions at Centurion and in Cape Town, we opted for Mohammad Abbas instead.”
Aqib Javed also elaborated on the decision regarding Shaheen Afridi, saying, “Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness.”
The upcoming series ensures an opportunity for emerging players to blend their talent alongside seasoned professionals in the T20 formats while maintaining consistency as Pakistan prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy. The selected squad aims to excel in various conditions and build momentum through this series, culminating in what they hope to be a historic victory against South Africa.
The schedules for the matches are as follows: the first T20I will take place on December 10 in Durban, followed by the second T20I on December 13 in Centurion, and the third T20I on December 14 in Johannesburg. The ODI series will begin with the first match on December 17 in Paarl, and conclude with the third ODI on December 22 in Johannesburg. The Test series is set to commence with the first Test from December 26-30 in Centurion, and the second Test from January 3-7 in Cape Town.
The Pakistan national cricket team is currently gearing up for an essential tour of South Africa, an endeavor encompassing three T20 Internationals, three One Day Internationals, and two Test matches. This tour forms part of the ICC World Test Championship and is particularly significant as it provides a valuable opportunity for the team to integrate emerging talents into the squad. The selection decisions reflect a strategic approach given the conditions likely to be encountered during the tour, especially with an eye on future tournaments such as the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025.
In summary, Pakistan’s squads for the tour of South Africa have been meticulously crafted to balance experience with emerging talent while addressing the challenges posed by the playing conditions. The absence of key players like Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman underscores a strategic focus on long-term objectives, particularly in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy. The appointed captains and the selected squads signify a commitment to achieving success against South Africa, setting the stage for a competitive series ahead.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
