Pakistan has unveiled its squads for the upcoming multi-format tour of South Africa, bringing back key players Babar Azam and Naseem Shah into the Test squad. Notably, Shaheen Afridi has been rested from red-ball cricket as part of his workload management to prepare for the Champions Trophy next year.

The decision follows Pakistan’s recent Test series against England, where Babar and Naseem were omitted to prioritize spin-friendly conditions. Despite an innings defeat in the first Test, Pakistan bounced back to win the series 2-1.

For the South Africa tour, Shan Masood will captain the Test side, while Mohammad Rizwan leads the ODI and T20I squads. Both Babar Azam and Rizwan feature across all formats, along with Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub.

Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad return to the Test squad after impressive domestic performances. Abbas, who last played in August 2021, took 31 wickets in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while Shahzad impressed with 15 wickets for Pakistan Shaheens.

Offspinner Sajid Khan, a key figure in the England series, has been left out in favor of Noman Ali, given the pace-friendly conditions expected in Cape Town and Centurion.

In the ODI format, Sufiyan Muqeem earns his maiden call-up after a stellar T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he grabbed career-best figures of 5 for 3. The T20I squad will head to South Africa directly from Zimbabwe, with the Test squad joining later.

Pakistan’s South Africa tour runs from December 10 to January 7, comprising three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests.

Squads

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, 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 Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, 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 Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).