The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the squads for Pakistan’s eagerly awaited tour of South Africa, set to take place from December 10, 2024, to January 7, 2025. This comprehensive tour will see Pakistan play three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests, with the matches taking place in various cities across South Africa. Below are the details of the squads and the full schedule.
Test Squad:Â
- Shan Masood (Captain) – Top-order Batsman
- Saud Shakeel (Vice-Captain) – Middle-order Batsman
- Aamir Jamal – All-rounder
- Abdullah Shafique – Top-order Batsman
- Babar Azam – Top-order Batsman
- Haseebullah (WK) – Wicketkeeper Batsman
- Kamran Ghulam – Middle-order Batsman
- Khurram Shahzad – Fast Bowler
- Mir Hamza – Fast Bowler
- Mohammad Abbas – Fast Bowler
- Mohammad Rizwan (WK) – Wicketkeeper Batsman
- Naseem Shah – Fast Bowler
- Noman Ali – Left-arm Spinner
- Saim Ayub – All-rounder
- Salman Ali Agha – All-rounder
ODI Squad:Â
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & WK) – Wicketkeeper Batsman
- Abdullah Shafique – Top-order Batsman
- Abrar Ahmed – Leg-spinner
- Babar Azam – Top-order Batsman
- Haris Rauf – Fast Bowler
- Kamran Ghulam – Middle-order Batsman
- Mohammad Hasnain – Fast Bowler
- Muhammad Irfan Khan – All-rounder
- Naseem Shah – Fast Bowler
- Saim Ayub – All-rounder
- Salman Ali Agha – All-rounder
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Fast Bowler
- Sufyan Moqim – Left-arm Wrist Spinner
- Tayyab Tahir – Middle-order Batsman
- Usman Khan (WK) – Wicketkeeper Batsman
T20I Squad:Â
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & WK) – Wicketkeeper Batsman
- Abrar Ahmed – Leg-spinner
- Babar Azam – Top-order Batsman
- Haris Rauf – Fast Bowler
- Jahandad Khan – All-rounder
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi – Fast Bowler
- Mohammad Hasnain – Fast Bowler
- Muhammad Irfan Khan – All-rounder
- Omair Bin Yousuf – Middle-order Batsman
- Saim Ayub – All-rounder
- Salman Ali Agha – All-rounder
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Fast Bowler
- Sufyan Moqim – Left-arm Wrist Spinner
- Tayyab Tahir – Middle-order Batsman
- Usman Khan (WK) – Wicketkeeper Batsman
Tour Schedule
- 10 Dec 2024 – 1st T20I – Durban
- 13 Dec 2024 – 2nd T20I – Centurion
- 14 Dec 2024 – 3rd T20I – Johannesburg
- 17 Dec 2024 – 1st ODI – Paarl
- 19 Dec 2024 – 2nd ODI – Cape Town
- 22 Dec 2024 – 3rd ODI – Johannesburg
- 26-30 Dec 2024 – 1st Test – Centurion
- 3-7 Jan 2025 – 2nd Test – Cape Town
Key Highlights
- Balanced Squad Selection:
Mohammad Abbas returns to the Test side after a series of impressive domestic performances. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested for the Test series to manage his workload and ensure peak fitness for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. - Emerging Talent in T20Is:
Sufyan Moqim, whose exceptional performance in T20Is caught the selectors’ attention, makes his mark in the ODI squad. - Strategic Planning:
The Test squad is designed to tackle the pace-friendly conditions expected in South Africa, while the ODI and T20I teams blend youthful energy with experienced players. - Comprehensive Tour:
This tour offers Pakistan the opportunity to build momentum ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, while also challenging themselves in the longer format during the Test series.
The Pakistan squad will depart in two phases for South Africa: the T20I squad will fly out on December 6, while the ODI and Test squads will join them on December 13. This series promises to be an exciting contest, with Pakistan aiming to make significant strides in all formats of the game.
