Pakistan announce T20I, ODI and Test squads for South Africa tour; no room for Shaheen Afridi in longest format

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced their men’s teams for the next tour of South Africascheduled from December 10, 2024 to January 7, 2025. The tour will include three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

In a notable decision, star point guard Shaheen Shah Afridi was left out of the Test squad as selectors opted to manage his workload to keep him in top shape for future assignments, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Shaheen remains a key part of the limited-overs squads for the South Africa tour.

Test Team Highlights

Fast bowler Mohammed Abbas makes a return to the Test side after his last appearance in Jamaica in August 2021. Abbas, who has an impressive haul of 90 wickets in 25 Tests, earned his recall after a stellar campaign for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he took 31 wickets in just five matches.

ODI and T20I Team Highlights

Left arm wrist twister Sufi muqeemwho recently made headlines with a a record five wickets in the T20I series against Zimbabweearned his first call-up to the ODI team. His inclusion underlines the selectors’ confidence in his ability to perform in multiple formats.

The T20I team, led by Mohammad Rizwanare expected to leave for South Africa immediately after their ongoing series against Zimbabwe, while the ODI and Test teams will depart on December 13.

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Pakistan squads for 2024-25 tour of South Africa

Tests: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (week), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (week), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

ODI: Mohammad Rizwan (c & sem), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (week)

T20East: Mohammad Rizwan (c & sem), 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 Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (week).

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