The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on December 4, 2024, announced Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming all-format tour of South Africa. The Men in Green are set to face the Proteas in three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches from December 10 to January 7.

The Test squad sees the return of Babar Azam, who was dropped from the last two Tests from the England series at home. Pacer Naseem Shah also returned to red-ball squad, but Shaheen Afridi was not included in the Test squad.

Shaheen is, however, included in both the white-ball teams. Babar is part of all three teams, but Naseem was not considered for the T20I side and will play only in the Tests and ODIs.

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who last played in Jamaica in August 2021, has also been included in the Pakistan Test squad.

Apart from Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha are included in all three squads.

As per PCB release, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

There was no place for off-spinner Sajid Khan, who picked up 19 wickets in the last two Tests against England. Noman Ali is the only specialist spinner picked in the 15-member Test team.

One big name missing from Pakistan squads was that of Fakhar Zaman and PCB statement, the opener is yet to regain match fitness and form.

The series will begin with the first T20I in Durban on 10 December, followed by the first ODI in Paarl on 17 December. The Test matches will be hosted at Centurion and in Cape Town on 26 December and 3 January, respectively.

Pakistan squads for South Africa tour:

Tests:

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha

ODIs:

Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), 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, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)

T20Is:

Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), 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, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)

Itinerary:

10 Dec – First T20I, Durban
13 Dec – Second T20I, Centurion
14 Dec – Third T20I, Johannesburg

17 Dec – First ODI, Paarl
19 Dec – Second ODI, Cape Town
22 Dec – Third ODI, Johannesburg

26-30 Dec – First Test, Centurion
3-7 Jan – Second Test, Cape Town

(PCB inputs)