Pakistan announces its squads for the tour of South Africa, featuring three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. Shaheen Afridi will miss the Tests, and Fakhar Zaman has been omitted due to fitness issues. Shan Masood will captain the Test side, while Mohammad Rizwan will lead in ODIs and T20Is, with Babar Azam among the key players. A focus on adapting to conditions is emphasized by selectors in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Pakistan has announced its squads for the forthcoming tour of South Africa, which encompasses a total of eight matches: three T20 Internationals (T20Is), three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and two Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Notably, star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will not participate in the Test series to prioritize his preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, while opener Fakhar Zaman was omitted due to ongoing fitness issues.
In the selection process, the absence of Sajid Khan from the Test squad stands out, despite his recent impressive performances against England. The selectors opted for seamer Mohammad Abbas, recognizing the potential challenges posed by South Africa’s playing conditions. Joe Masood will lead the Test side, with Mohammad Rizwan appointed as captain for the white-ball matches, supported by key players like Babar Azam across all formats.
Aqib Javed, selector and interim head coach for the white-ball formats, emphasized the selection rationale stating, “We have adopted a horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa.” He further remarked on the challenges faced in choosing the squad and reiterated the importance of adapting to different playing conditions.
The scheduling of the series is as follows: the first T20I is set for December 10 in Durban, followed by matches in Centurion and Johannesburg. The ODIs will commence on December 17 in Paarl, with subsequent matches in Cape Town and Johannesburg, leading up to the Test matches scheduled for late December and early January in Centurion and Cape Town, respectively.
The Pakistan cricket team is preparing for an extensive tour of South Africa, consisting of multiple bilateral matches across different formats. This series is particularly significant as it serves as an opportunity for the team to build momentum towards the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025. In selecting the squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board considered both current player performances and the specific conditions expected in South Africa, which informed their approach to inclusivity and strategic selection.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s squads for the South Africa tour reflect strategic foresight, prioritizing player fitness and preparation for major upcoming tournaments. By incorporating experienced players alongside emerging talent while considering playing conditions, the Pakistan selectors are seeking to optimize performance across formats. The series promises to be competitive, and there is confidence in the team’s ability to achieve success.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
