Pakistan has revealed its squads for the tour of South Africa, which includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. Key player Shaheen Afridi will miss the Test matches to prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The squad reflects a balance of experience and emerging talent, with Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan leading the Test and white-ball formats, respectively.
The Pakistan cricket team has announced its squads for the highly anticipated tour of South Africa, which includes a total of eight matches: three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Notably, star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will not participate in the Test series as a strategic decision to ensure his readiness for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Additionally, hard-hitting opener Fakhar Zaman has been omitted due to ongoing fitness issues.
Selectors have chosen to exclude Sajid Khan from the Test squad despite his commendable recent performances against England, opting instead for seamer Mohammad Abbas to match the expected pace-friendly conditions in South Africa. Shan Masood will lead the Test side, while Mohammad Rizwan will captain the team in the white-ball formats. Leading batter Babar Azam is included in all three squads, reflecting the selectors’ strategies for a balanced approach.
Aqib Javed, the selector and interim coach for white-ball cricket, elaborated on the selection process, stating: “We have adopted a horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa. Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, was an extremely tough and difficult decision.”
The series is anticipated to be competitive, with the aim of achieving a historic series victory. The schedule for the series includes the first T20I on December 10 in Durban, followed by the ODIs starting December 17 in Paarl, and concluding with the Test matches starting December 26 in Centurion.
The Pakistan cricket team’s selection for the tour of South Africa is significant due to the inclusion and exclusion of key players with respect to upcoming international tournaments. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a priority for the selectors, influencing the decision to rest Shaheen Afridi for the Test matches. The selection strategy reflects an emphasis on adapting to varying playing conditions, enhancing both immediate performance and future prospects. In this effort, the balance of experience and emerging talent becomes critical, especially in preparation for contrasting formats.
In summary, the Pakistan team’s squad for the South Africa tour showcases a blend of seasoned players and emerging talent, guided by strategic selections aligned with future objectives. The exclusion of key players like Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan underscores a focused approach towards ensuring optimal performance in varied playing conditions. With the leadership of Shan Masood in Tests and Mohammad Rizwan in limited-overs, Pakistan aims to secure success and maintain momentum ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. The series schedule promises an exciting array of matches that will test the team’s capabilities.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
