Star quick to skip Tests as Pakistan reveal squads for South Africa tour

Pakistan have named their squads for their upcoming tour of South Africa, which will consist of eight matches over the next month, including three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship.

The squads have been put together with one eye on next year's ICC Champions Trophy, with star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi to sit out the Test series in order to prepare for the 50-over showcase in 2025. Hard-hitting opener Fakhar Zaman was not considered due to ongoing fitness concerns.

There is also no place for Sajid Khan in Pakistan's Test squad despite his recent strong form at home against England, with selectors opting to include seamer Mohammad Abbas in his place due to the conditions the side will likely encounter in South Africa.

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Shan Masood will captain Pakistan during the Test series with Mohammad Rizwan named skipper for the white-ball contests. Star batter Babar Azam is among a host of key players named in all three squads.

“We have adopted a horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa," selector and interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed said via 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 and Usman Khan (wk)

Series schedule:

First T20I, December 10, Durban
Second T20I, December 13, Centurion
Third T20I, December 14, Johannesburg

First ODI, December 17, Paarl
Second ODI, December 19, Cape Town
Third ODI, December 22, Johannesburg

First Test, December 26-30, Centurion
Second Test, January 3-7, Cape Town