Babar Azam returns as Pakistan names squads for South Africa tour

The Pakistan men's selection committee on Wednesday announced the squads for their South Africa tour, scheduled from December 10 to January 7. The series includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches.

Speedster Shaheen Afridi has been left out of the Test squad in a bid to keep him fresh for the Champions Trophy at home next year.

However, the left-arm quick has been picked for six limited-overs matches in South Africa beginning on Dec. 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

"Shaheen Afridi, who also missed the last two tests against England, has been picked for the white-ball matches as part of his workload management so that he is in his best fitness and form for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025," the statement read.

Babar, Naseem and Abbas return

Fellow fast bowler Naseem Shah and batting mainstay Babar Azam, both of whom missed the last two matches against England, were recalled for the Test matches in Centurion and Cape Town.

Babar has been named in all three squads, while Naseem will participate in the Tests and ODIs but not the T20Is.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan, whose tally of 19 wickets in two tests was key to Pakistan's 2-1 series victory against England in October, was dropped.

"Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, was an extremely tough and difficult decision," selector and interim white-ball team coach Aaqib Javed said.

"However, considering the pace-friendly conditions at Centurion and in Cape Town, we opted for Mohammad Abbas instead, who is an outstanding exponent of seam bowling."

The Test squad features only one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, who impressed with 20 wickets against England and has taken 67 wickets in 17 Tests.

Sufiyan Muqeem, a left-arm wrist spinner, has been included in the ODI squad for the first time following a stellar performance in T20Is against Zimbabwe.

Fakhar Zaman was not considered for selection as he has yet to regain form and fitness.

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

Pakistan squads

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

ODI: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), 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 and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)

T20I: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), 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, Sufyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)