Pakistan has announced its squads for the South Africa tour, featuring three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. Key players Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman have been omitted due to fitness concerns. Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan have been appointed captains for Tests and white-ball formats, respectively. The selectors anticipate a competitive series and are focused on a strategic approach leading to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
Pakistan has announced its squads for the forthcoming tour of South Africa, which will feature a total of eight matches, including three T20 Internationals, three One Day Internationals, and two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Notably, star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will not participate in the Test series, as the selectors are prioritizing his preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025. Similarly, batsman Fakhar Zaman was not selected due to ongoing fitness issues.
Despite his commendable performances against England, spinner Sajid Khan was excluded from the Test squad; the selectors opted for seamer Mohammad Abbas, considering the anticipated conditions in South Africa. Shan Masood has been designated as captain for the Test matches, while Mohammad Rizwan will lead the white-ball formats. The accomplished cricketer Babar Azam has been included in all three squads, underscoring his significance to the team.
Aqib Javed, the selector and interim head coach for the white-ball format, commented, “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.”
He further elaborated, “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.“
The upcoming series is expected to be fiercely contested; however, the selectors are optimistic about their prospects for securing a historic series victory. The full squads for Pakistan’s tour of South Africa include significant contributions from both seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, thus aligning with their strategy for upcoming international fixtures. The first T20I is scheduled for December 10, 2023, in Durban.
The Pakistan cricket team is preparing for an important tour of South Africa that includes a series of matches under different formats: T20Is, ODIs, and Tests. This tour aims to not only compete but also to enhance the team’s composition for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. The decisions surrounding player selections reflect a strategic approach to squad management, taking into account individual player health and the specific conditions expected in South Africa during the series. The focus is to secure strong performances while providing opportunities for emerging players to gain experience.
In summary, Pakistan has strategically selected its squads for the South African tour, emphasizing the importance of player fitness and condition relative to the match formats. The omission of key players like Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman raises questions yet illustrates a long-term vision towards major tournaments. With a strong leadership structure in place and a mixture of seasoned players and rising stars, the team aims to compete successfully across formats and secure significant victories against formidable opponents.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
