The PCB has announced its Test squad for the South Africa tour, omitting key players Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan. The squad includes returning players Babar Azam and Naseem Shah, with Mohammad Abbas making a comeback. The selections are aimed at adapting to the pace-friendly conditions anticipated during the matches in Centurion and Cape Town.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced its Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, set to commence on December 10. While captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah return to the squad after being rested during the home series against England, notably absent are left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi and the recently successful spinner Sajid Khan. Instead, veteran Mohammad Abbas has made a commendable return to the lineup.
In addition to Afridi and Khan, several other players including Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, and Mehran Mumtaz have been excluded from the Test team. The squad primarily features left-arm spinner Noman Ali as the sole specialist spin option.
The selection committee discussed the rationale behind these omissions, specifically Sajid Khan’s exclusion despite his impressive performance, where he took a total of 17 wickets in two Tests against England. Member of the selection committee, Aqib Javed, emphasized the need for a balanced team tailored to the pace-friendly conditions expected in Centurion and Cape Town. “Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, 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, who is an outstanding exponent of seam bowling,” Javed stated.
Concerning Afridi’s omission, it was clarified that the decision was strategic in anticipation of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while he remains included in the ODI and T20I squads for the South Africa tour.
The announcement by the PCB comes as part of their strategic planning for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. The series is crucial for Pakistan’s Test cricket ambitions, where they aim to adapt to different playing conditions. The exclusion of high-performing players like Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan raises questions about the selection criteria, with the committee indicating a focus on creating a dynamic squad suited for the specific challenges of South African pitches.
In summary, the PCB’s Test squad selection for the South Africa tour reflects a strategic approach focused on optimizing team performance in pace-friendly conditions. The return of notable players such as Babar Azam and the inclusion of experienced Mohammad Abbas highlight a balanced mixture of youth and experience. While the omissions of key players like Afridi and Khan may stir conversation among fans and analysts, the underlying goal remains to assemble a formidable side capable of thriving in the upcoming series.
Original Source: thesportstak.com
