New Delhi: Pakistan will face South Africa in the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday, December 26. Shan Masood and Co. will be confident heading into the series after their home Test series win against England.
The Men in Green have also won the ODI series against Australia and South Africa. Ahead of the test match, skipper Masood said that his team have got some momentum from the recently concluded home test series win against England and the ODI series win against South Africa. He further added that South Africa have done well in the current cycle of the World Test Championship but Pakistan is well-prepared for the series.
Shan Masood and Co. have won just two Test matches out of the 15 they played in South Africa. They haven’t won a Boxing Day Test in South Africa, having lost in 2002 and 2018. But the Pakistan skipper is confident of doing well in the series after the return of a few key players.
“The return of pacer Khurram Shahzad, who did really well on his debut in Australia and the seasoned campaigner Mohammad Abbas is a welcome development for Pakistan’s Test side looking to bag wins in one of the toughest conditions for overseas teams” Masood told Telecom Asia Sport during a recent interview.
Pakistan announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test
Pakistan have announced their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test match against South Africa. Mohammad Abbas has been included in the team while Abdullah Shafique has been dropped. Shafique failed to open his account in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.
🚨 Pakistan’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa in Centurion 🇵🇰#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/8BdXEPAMfh
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2024
Shan Masood will open the batting with Saim Ayub, who recently notched up two centuries in the ODI series. Babar Azam also returned to the No.3 position while pacer Khurram Shahzad also made his comeback after missing the home Test series against England.
Pakistan will take on South Africa in the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday, December 26. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
