Lahore – The national selection committee has unveiled an 18-member squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, with Shan Masood retaining the captaincy. Three players have earned maiden call-ups to the side, including Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, and Rohail Nazir, adding fresh energy to the squad. Alongside Masood, established names such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi remain central to Pakistan’s plans, while Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, and Saud Shakeel bolster the batting order.
The bowling attack features Aamir Jamal, Hasan Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Kamran Ghulam, and Abrar Ahmed. With both Mohammad Rizwan and Rohail Nazir in the lineup, Pakistan will also have strong wicket-keeping options. The squad will be further trimmed ahead of the first Test. Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, and Saim Ayub have not been included in the squad.
South Africa tour to Pakistan
The much-anticipated series begins with two Tests: the first from October 12 to 16 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, followed by the second from October 20 to 24 in Rawalpindi. The action then shifts to the shorter formats, starting with the first T20I on October 28 in Rawalpindi, the second on October 31 in Lahore, and the third on November 1 at the same venue. The three-match ODI series will be hosted in Faisalabad, with fixtures on November 4, 6, and 8 at Iqbal Stadium.
The national training camp is currently underway in Lahore and will continue until October 8, allowing the squad time to prepare before the first Test.
