The Pakistan men’s selection committee has revealed the squads for the South Africa tour, excluding Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test team due to workload management concerns, while Babar Azam returns as captain. The focus remains on assembling balanced teams for the series, with a blend of emerging players and seasoned bowler Mohammad Abbas making a comeback after an extended period.
The Pakistan men’s selection committee has announced the squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, notably excluding fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test team. Despite Afridi’s capabilities, his omission is attributed to a strategic decision regarding his workload management, ensuring he is well-prepared for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, Babar Azam returns to lead the team across all formats, accompanied by key players like Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, and others who have demonstrated consistent performance in recent matches.
The Test squad includes seasoned players such as Mohammad Abbas, who returns after a lengthy absence and had an impressive showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he took 31 wickets. The pace attack will consist of notable bowlers, including Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza, alongside Naseem Shah. The selectors have adopted a ‘horses for courses’ approach, prioritizing a balance that caters to the expected conditions in South Africa, focusing on seam-friendly attributes crucial for success in this series.
In the selection process, the committee emphasized the importance of versatility and adapting to the playing conditions in Centurion and Cape Town. The absence of off-spinner Sajid Khan was challenging given his successful run against England, but the focus remained on including one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, proven effective in the previous series. Furthermore, the inclusion of emerging talent like Sufyan Moqim in the ODI squad demonstrates a commitment to nurturing the next generation of players.
The Pakistan T20I squad, captained by Mohammad Rizwan, will depart for South Africa after the final T20I against Zimbabwe. The Test and ODI players will follow, ensuring proper preparation under head coach Jason Gillespie before the commencement of the series. The overarching goal is to secure a historic series win while maintaining momentum for the forthcoming Champions Trophy.
The exclusion of Shaheen Afridi from the Pakistan Test squad marks a significant decision by the selection committee, aimed at conserving his energy and focus ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025. By strategically managing player workloads, the selectors hope to ensure that key athletes perform at their peak when it matters most. The announcement comes amidst a larger context of competitive cricket, where the Pakistan team seeks to blend experienced players with new talent, particularly in challenging, pace-friendly conditions.
In summary, the Pakistan men’s selection committee has made critical choices regarding the squad for the South Africa tour, prioritizing both immediate performance and long-term strategy. The notable absence of Shaheen Afridi underscores the focus on workload management for pivotal tournaments ahead. Meanwhile, the inclusion of both experienced players and emerging talent reflects an intention to maintain competitiveness and consistency across formats during this critical phase in international cricket.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
