PCB Announce Squad For South Africa Tour; 'Multan Test Hero' Shockingly Misses Out
Pakistan's Tour Of South Africa 2024: PCB have announced the squad for all 3 formats, and the Test squad features the return of THESE veteran pacers, as Pakistan eye a WTC Final spot. Read below.
Pakistan's Tour Of South Africa 2024: Pakistan Cricket Board have officially announced the Pakistan squad of all formats for their upcoming tour of South Africa on Wednesday, December 4, as the side eyes intense preparation for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and a place in World Test Championship Final 2025.
The Test squad features the return of pacers Mir Hamza and Mohammad Abbas, as both were dealing with injury concerns, and their return will be a big boost for the side, as South African pitches offer good assistance to pacers.
However, the biggest shock of the Test squad was the non-selection of 'Multan Test Hero' Sajid Khan, and his reason of omission has been stated as 'difficult decision' by Aqib Javed, who preferred pacers instead.
Pakistan Squads For South Africa Tour:
Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), 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.
ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).
T20Is: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & 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 Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).
🚨 Pakistan squads announced for South Africa tour 🚨
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 4, 2024
🗓️ 3️⃣ T20Is, 3️⃣ ODIs and 2️⃣ Tests from 10 December to 7 January 🏏
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/7wp7q1U7Yb#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/3PYbvFfSpz
Head Coach Aqib Javed Reflects On Think-Tank Behind Selection Of Squad
As reported by Pakistan Cricket Board, here is the official released statement of Aqib Javed:
"We have adopted a horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa."
"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."
Trending News
Top Headlines
