Pakistan Announces Squads for South Africa Tour: Key Players and Strategic Decisions

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the squads for the much-anticipated South Africa tour, scheduled from 10 December to 7 January. The tour includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests, with notable inclusions and exclusions reflecting a balanced approach to competing across formats.

Key Highlights of the Squads

• Babar Azam will feature in all three squads alongside regulars Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named in the white-ball squads but excluded from the Tests to manage his workload, ensuring he remains at peak fitness for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
• Mohammad Abbas makes a Test comeback after a stellar Quaid-e-Azam Trophy performance, where he claimed 31 wickets in five matches.
• Emerging left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim earned his maiden ODI call-up following standout performances in T20Is.

Test Squad Strategy

Under the captaincy of Shan Masood and vice-captaincy of Saud Shakeel, the Test squad includes a four-man pace attack of Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mir Hamza. Spin duties will rely solely on Noman Ali, reflecting the selectors’ assessment of South Africa’s pace-friendly conditions. Notably, off-spinner Sajid Khan was left out despite his recent success against England, a decision that PCB selector Aqib Javed acknowledged as “tough but necessary.”

White-Ball Focus

Mohammad Rizwan leads the ODI and T20I sides, with a focus on preparing for the Champions Trophy while blending experience with emerging talent. The inclusion of Shaheen Shah Afridi in the T20I and ODI squads underscores his pivotal role in the white-ball setup. Meanwhile, rising stars like Tayyab Tahir and Jahandad Khan bolster the T20I lineup, offering opportunities for new talent to shine.

Strategic Decisions

Selector Aqib Javed highlighted the meticulous approach behind the selections:
“We have adopted a horses-for-courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa. Our focus is on building momentum in ODIs for the Champions Trophy, testing young talent in T20Is, and assembling a competitive Test squad for challenging conditions.”

He also addressed the exclusion of Sajid Khan and Fakhar Zaman, emphasizing the need for tactical selections based on form, fitness, and conditions.

Tour Schedule

• T20Is: The series kicks off in Durban on 10 December, with subsequent matches in Centurion (13 December) and Johannesburg (14 December).
• ODIs: Paarl (17 December), Cape Town (19 December), and Johannesburg (22 December) will host the 50-over games.
• Tests: The red-ball series will take place in Centurion (26-30 December) and Cape Town (3-7 January).

This tour not only serves as a litmus test for Pakistan’s depth and adaptability across formats but also marks a significant step in preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fans will be eager to see how the blend of youth and experience fares in challenging South African conditions.