Babar Azam and Naseem Shah are back in Pakistan’s Test squad for the two-match series against South Africa, but the spotlight is on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence. Afridi, once a key player in Pakistan’s red-ball squad, has been excluded, raising questions about his future in the Test format.
Afridi’s Omission: A Shift in Priorities?
Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion suggests a shift in focus away from Test cricket. After being dropped during Pakistan’s Test series against England in October, many expected him to make a comeback for the pace-friendly pitches of South Africa. However, Afridi has struggled since returning from a knee injury sustained in Sri Lanka in July 2022, taking just 17 wickets in six matches at an average of 45.47. His omission hints that his role in Test cricket may be waning, with little chance of featuring in Pakistan’s upcoming home series against the West Indies in January.
Naseem Shah and Mohammad Abbas Strengthen the Squad
Naseem Shah’s return adds much-needed pace to Pakistan’s lineup, making him the only genuine fast bowler in the squad. Mohammad Abbas, known for his accuracy, also makes a comeback, offering experience on South Africa’s challenging pitches. Abbas last played Test cricket in 2021 and brings valuable knowledge from Pakistan’s previous tour of South Africa in 2018-19.
Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed Miss Out
Spinners Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed have been left out, with the selectors opting for Noman Ali’s left-arm orthodox spin instead. Sajid’s omission comes despite his pivotal role in Pakistan’s recent series against England, where he took 19 wickets. Abrar, once seen as Pakistan’s premier Test spinner, also finds himself sidelined.
Khurram Shahzad’s Return After Injury
Khurram Shahzad is back in the squad after recovering from a rib injury that kept him out of the England series. He has been in excellent form since returning, taking 28 wickets in domestic matches, making him a key player for this series.
Challenges Ahead in South Africa
Pakistan faces a tough challenge in South Africa, a country where they have historically struggled in Test cricket. The squad lacks the high pace that is often crucial on South African pitches. In contrast, South Africa’s lineup boasts several fast bowlers who can exceed speeds of 140 km/h, making this a challenging series for Pakistan.
White-Ball Stability and Squad Overview
There is more stability in Pakistan’s white-ball squads. Rising star Sufiyan Muqeem retains his spot, and Omair Yousuf joins the T20I squad. Pakistan will play three T20Is and three ODIs between December 10 and 22, followed by the two-Test series starting December 26.
Pakistan Squads for South Africa Tour
Test Squad:
- Shan Masood (Captain)
- Saud Shakeel (Vice-Captain)
- Babar Azam
- Naseem Shah
- Mohammad Abbas
- Noman Ali
- Salman Ali Agha
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Abdullah Shafique
- Mir Hamza
- Saim Ayub
- Aamer Jamal
- Kamran Ghulam
- Haseebullah (wk)
- Khurram Shahzad
ODI Squad:
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain, wk)
- Babar Azam
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Sufiyan Muqeem
- Salman Ali Agha
- Haris Rauf
- Kamran Ghulam
T20I Squad:
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain, wk)
- Babar Azam
- Haris Rauf
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Omair Yousuf
- Saim Ayub
Final Thoughts:
Babar Azam and Naseem Shah’s return brings strength to Pakistan’s Test squad, but the absence of Shaheen Afridi raises questions about his future in the red-ball format. Pakistan will need to rely on their existing pace attack to compete against a strong South African side in what promises to be a challenging series.