Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the squads for the much-anticipated South Africa tour. The tour, spanning from December 10, 2024, to January 7, 2025, includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests.
The selection committee, led by Aqib Javed, emphasized a “horses for courses” strategy to create competitive and balanced teams for all formats.
- Tour Dates: December 10, 2024 – January 7, 2025
- Formats: 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, 2 Tests
- Leadership: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan anchor the squads.
- New Talent: Watch out for players like Sufyan Moqim and Khurram Shahzad.
- Focus: Blending emerging talent with seasoned players for long-term goals.
Balanced Squads for South African Conditions
Pakistan has prioritized fitness and adaptability. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha are named in all three squads. Shaheen Afridi, focusing on white-ball formats, was rested for Tests to maintain peak performance for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas returns to the Test team after stellar performances in domestic cricket. Abbas’ recent success in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 31 wickets secured his place. Alongside him, emerging pacer Khurram Shahzad and seasoned spinner Noman Ali strengthen the bowling attack for the red-ball format.
The ODI squad reflects a mix of experienced players and newcomers. Spinner Sufyan Moqim, known for his exceptional T20I performances, makes his ODI debut.
Key Player Decisions and Strategy
Aqib Javed explained the exclusion of some notable players like Sajid Khan and Fakhar Zaman. Sajid Khan, despite his excellent record against England, was overlooked due to South Africa’s pace-friendly pitches. Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was left out as he continues to work on his form and fitness.
Javed highlighted the goal of maintaining consistency in ODIs ahead of the Champions Trophy. He also stressed the importance of blending emerging talent with experienced players in T20Is. The Test squad, meanwhile, is designed to thrive in challenging South African conditions, aiming for a historic series win.
Tour Schedule: Key Matches to Watch
Pakistan’s South Africa tour promises exciting cricket. Below is the schedule for the matches:
T20I Matches
- 10 Dec: First T20I, Durban
- 13 Dec: Second T20I, Centurion
- 14 Dec: Third T20I, Johannesburg
ODI Matches
- 17 Dec: First ODI, Paarl
- 19 Dec: Second ODI, Cape Town
- 22 Dec: Third ODI, Johannesburg
Test Matches
- 26-30 Dec: First Test, Centurion
- 3-7 Jan: Second Test, Cape Town
Test Squad Overview
The Test squad, led by Shan Masood, features experienced players and new faces. Key inclusions are:
- Mohammad Abbas: Returns to bring experience.
- Naseem Shah: Adds youthful pace to the attack.
- Noman Ali: Selected as the sole specialist spinner.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan narrowly missed out due to the conditions. The team aims to compete fiercely in Centurion and Cape Town.
ODI and T20I Focus
Mohammad Rizwan leads the ODI squad with a focus on preparing for the Champions Trophy. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf spearhead the bowling lineup, while Saim Ayub adds youthful energy. The T20I team, also under Rizwan, blends emerging players like Sufyan Moqim with experienced campaigners such as Babar Azam.
Comments from Aqib Javed
Javed expressed confidence in Pakistan’s preparation.
“We’ve built squads tailored for South Africa’s conditions. Each team has a balance of youth and experience. The Test matches will be tough, but we aim for a historic series win. For ODIs, maintaining momentum is key, while T20Is are a chance to test new players,” he remarked.
Emerging Stars to Watch
Sufyan Moqim: The left-arm wrist spinner is poised to shine after his impressive debut in T20Is.
Khurram Shahzad: The pacer earned his spot with stellar performances against Sri Lanka ‘A’.
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