TOP STORIES

Shaheen Afridi rested for Tests as Pakistan name squads for South Africa series

Wednesday, 04-Dec-2024
News

Pakistan have named their squads for the upcoming multi-format series against South Africa, with Shaheen Afridi being dropped out of the Test side in order to keep him physically fit for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The all-format series, which will include three ODIs, three T20Is and Two Tests, will begin on December 10 with the first T20I at Kingsmead, Durban. 

The two Tests will be part of the World Test Championship. Babar Azam has been named in all the squads while Fakhar Zaman finds no place in any squad. Pacer Naseem Shah has been selected in the Test and ODI squads. Interestingly, Sajid Khan has been left out of the Test squad despite performing brilliantly against England in the home Test series. Noman Ali has been added to the Test side. 

“We have adopted a horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa," Pakistan’s interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed said in a statement.

“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."

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness."

“Our aim is to maintain consistency in ODI selections as part of our ICC Champions Trophy 2025 preparations, while also giving emerging talent opportunities in T20Is alongside experienced players. For Tests, we have focused on assembling a squad that can adapt to challenging conditions and consistently compete at the highest level."

“The Test series against South Africa will be highly competitive, but we are confident in our team’s ability to secure a historic series win. Our focus in ODIs is to continue building momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy, while the T20I series provides a platform to blend experience with emerging talent.”

Pakistan Test squad: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c&wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk)

Pakistan T20I squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c&wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir Usman Khan (wk)

 

 

 

Tags

More News

News

Asia Cup 2025: Start time for 18 matches pushed back by 30 minutes

18 hrs ago

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that the start time for 18 out of the 19 matches, including the final, in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 will be pushed back by 30 minutes. This decision comes in response to the severe heatwave in the UAE. Following the revised timing, matches will now commence at 6.30pm local time (8pm IST).

The Asia Cup 2025 ...


News

RCB announces ₹25 lakh compensation to families of stampede victims

1 day ago

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh to the families of the 11 victims who tragically lost their lives in a harrowing stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Indian Premier League (IPL) victory celebrations earlier this year in June. RCB took to social media to announce the financial assistance to the families of the victims.

“O...


News

Rahul Dravid parts ways with Rajasthan Royals

1 day ago

Rahul Dravid has parted ways with the Rajasthan Royals after just one season as head coach. The latest development comes as a shock, given Dravid's deep experience and his high-profile tenure as head coach of the Indian national team. In a statement, the franchise revealed that Dravid was offered a broader role within the organisation, but he chose not to take ...


News

ZIM vs SL, 2nd ODI: Sri Lanka eye series as Zimbabwe aim for comeback

1 day ago

The stage is once again set for a thrilling second and final match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in the ongoing two-match ODI series, scheduled for Sunday in Harare. Sri Lanka, who are leading the series 1-0 after a convincing win in the first ODI, have put the hosts under immense pressure to bounce back and level the series.

Sri Lanka ...


News

Nitish Rana, Digvesh Rathi involved in verbal spat

1 day ago

Ugly scenes were witnessed during the Eliminator match of the Delhi Premier League 2025 (DPL 2025) on Friday, August 29, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, when Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi got involved in a heated verbal altercation. West Delhi Lions' Nitish Rana was tearing through South Delhi Superstarz’s bowl...