New Delhi: Pakistan have recalled star batter Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah for the upcoming all-format tour of South Africa. Babar, Naseem, and Shaheen Shah Afridi were dropped by Pakistan recently for the last two home Tests against England. While Babar features in all three squads – Tests, T20Is and ODIs, Shaheen has been named only in the white-ball squads. His exclusion from the Test squad is part of the process of managing his workload ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Naseem hasn’t found a place in the T20I squad and has been included in Test and ODI squads. Only Babar, skipper Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub have been selected in all three squads.
Key players return for South Africa tour
Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza have also returned to the Test squad. Offspinner Sajid Khan, named Player of the Series against England in October, was excluded from the squad. Noman Ali is the lone spinner in the squad as Pakistan picked the team based on conditions expected in Cape Town and Centurion.
🚨 Pakistan squads announced for South Africa tour 🚨
🗓️ 3️⃣ T20Is, 3️⃣ ODIs and 2️⃣ Tests from 10 December to 7 January 🏏
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/7wp7q1U7Yb#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/3PYbvFfSpz
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 4, 2024
The other players to return to the Test squad are Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza. Offspinner Sajid Khan, who was named Player of the Series against England in October, was left out as Pakistan opted for the lone spinner in Noman Ali. This decision was taken on the basis of conditions expected in Cape Town and Centurion.
Abbas returns to the Test fold after three years. He enjoyed a remarkable Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, picking up 31 wickets in five games this season for Lahore B. Meanwhile, Shahzad also comes into the two-match series on the back of superb domestic performances. Shahzad bagged 15 wickets for Pakistan Shaheens against Sri Lanka A last month.
Pakistan has recalled star players Babar Azam and Naseem Shah for their upcoming tour of South Africa. Babar is included in all three formats, while Naseem features in Tests and ODIs. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s inclusion is limited to white-ball matches due to workload management. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
