Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion from Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming South Africa tour has been labeled a “strategic decision,” with the intention of keeping the star bowler physically and mentally fresh for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selector, Aaqib Javed, confirmed that Afridi would still be part of the squads for the three ODIs and three T20s against South Africa.
In Afridi’s absence, Babar Azam, who was previously dropped for the last two home Tests against England, makes a return to the Test lineup. Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas also makes his comeback, alongside other notable selections for the upcoming series.
“Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion is a strategic move to ensure his preparedness for the Champions Trophy,” Javed explained in a statement. Afridi, ranked second in the ICC ODI bowler rankings, is the only Pakistani player in the top 10 of the men’s ODI rankings.
Alongside Afridi, Naseem Shah, who was also omitted from the second and third Tests against England, is included in the 15-man Test squad. Abbas, with a record of 90 wickets in 25 Tests, has been in good form lately and has impressed in domestic four-day matches. Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza are also part of the pace attack for the Test series.
The tour kicks off on December 10 with three T20 matches, followed by three ODIs and two Test matches in Centurion and Cape Town. “We have adopted a horses-for-courses policy to ensure a well-balanced squad for each format,” Javed noted. He emphasized that the ODI series aims to build momentum for the Champions Trophy, while the T20s focus on blending experience with emerging talent.
Despite strong performances in recent Tests, off-spinner Sajid Khan was excluded from the Test squad. Instead, Noman Ali, who has taken 20 wickets in recent matches, was selected due to the pace-friendly conditions expected in South Africa. Javed described leaving out Khan as a difficult decision but stressed that Abbas’s seam bowling made him a better fit for the South African conditions.
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha are included in all three formats, while young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem retains his place in the T20 and ODI squads after a strong showing in Zimbabwe.
Pakistan’s Squads for the South Africa Tour
- Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
- ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), 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.
- T20s: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.
