(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Announces 18-Man Squad for South Africa Test Series
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled an 18-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, which will officially launch Pakistan’s campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Series Schedule
The first Test begins on October 12 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, followed by the second in Rawalpindi from October 20. This marks the start of an all-format tour that also includes limited-overs fixtures later in October.
Team Selection Highlights
As expected, Shan Masood continues as captain, with selectors opting for a mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers. Left-arm spinners Asif Afridi and Faisal Akram, along with wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir, have received maiden call-ups. The squad will be trimmed to the playing XI before the opening Test.
Pakistan’s experienced core features Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, while Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha retain their places after strong recent performances. The spin department looks well-balanced, with Abrar Ahmed, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali joining the two newcomers.
Notably, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Huraira, who were part of the squad against West Indies earlier this year, have missed out.
Pakistan Squad vs. South Africa (Tests)
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Shan Masood (captain)
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Aamir Jamal
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Abdullah Shafique
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Abrar Ahmed
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Asif Afridi
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Babar Azam
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Faisal Akram
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Hasan Ali
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Imam-ul-Haq
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Kamran Ghulam
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Khurram Shahzad
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Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
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Noman Ali
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Rohail Nazir (wk)
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Sajid Khan
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Salman Ali Agha
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Saud Shakeel
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Shaheen Shah Afridi
The squad will assemble at the National Cricket Academy under red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood. Players returning from Asia Cup duties are scheduled to join training on October 4.
Upcoming Challenge
South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship winners, are touring Pakistan for the first time since lifting the 2023–25 title. The series promises to be a stern test for the home side, who will be eager to start the new cycle strongly on home soil.
Following the Test matches, the teams will meet in a white-ball series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs from October 28 to November 8. Squads for those formats will be announced later.
