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Pakistan’s playing XI for the first Test of their two-match series against South Africa has been announced, with the match set to start today, December 26. The Boxing Day Test will be held at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, followed by the second Test at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, starting on January 3, 2024.
This Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship. Pakistan’s tour to South Africa has been eventful so far, as they lost the three-match T20I series 2-0 but bounced back to secure a historic 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series.
The Pakistan Test squad, which arrived in South Africa on December 13 to acclimatize to local conditions, has seen the return of experienced fast bowler Mohammad Abbas. Abbas, who last played for Pakistan in August 2021 against West Indies, earned his spot in the squad with an impressive 31 wickets in five Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches this season. Additionally, fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who missed the home Test series against England due to injury, has also rejoined the squad.
This will be Aqib Javed’s first red-ball series as interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s team. He previously led the team during the white-ball series against Zimbabwe last month.
Pakistan and South Africa have faced off in 12 Test series since 1995. South Africa has won seven, while Pakistan has claimed victory in two, with three series ending in draws. The last Test series between the two sides saw Pakistan triumph 2-0 at home in January-February 2021.
Pakistan Playing XI for First Test:
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan Test Squad:
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.
Match Schedule:
- First Test: Pakistan vs South Africa, December 26-30
- Second Test: Pakistan vs South Africa, January 3-7
