No Shaheen Afridi in Pakistan Check squad for South Africa tour, Babar Azam returns; PCB selector calls it ‘technique’

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha have been named in all three squads, whereas Naseem Shah was chosen for the Checks and ODIs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who additionally missed the final two Checks in opposition to England, was solely picked for the white-ball matches as a part of his workload administration so that he’s in his greatest health and kind for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Additionally returning to the Check facet was quick bowler Mohammad Abbas, who final performed in Jamaica in August 2021. Abbas, who has taken 90 wickets in 25 Checks, had a stellar Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, claiming 31 wickets in 5 matches. Naseem Shah was named within the four-man tempo assault after lacking the final two Checks in opposition to England. The 21-year-old, who has performed 19 Checks since making his debut in November 2019, has taken 4 wickets to this point for Lahore Whites in opposition to Peshawar within the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match in Abbottabad.

Quick bowler Khurram Shahzad was included within the Check facet after claiming 15 wickets for Pakistan Shaheens in opposition to Sri Lanka ‘A’ final month. Mir Hamza is the fourth quick bowler within the 15-man Check squad and is presently taking part in for Peshawar in opposition to Lahore Whites in Abbottabad.

“Now we have adopted horses for programs coverage to make sure all three squads are well-balanced and able to performing strongly in South Africa, stated Aqib Javed, member choice committee and interim white-ball head coach. “Leaving out Sajid Khan, regardless of his stellar performances in opposition to England, was an especially robust and troublesome determination. Nonetheless, contemplating the pace-friendly circumstances at Centurion and in Cape City, we opted for Mohammad Abbas as an alternative, who’s an excellent exponent of seam bowling.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Check squad is a strategic determination to make sure he stays bodily and mentally recent for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Equally, Fakhar Zaman was not thought of as he’s but to regain kind and match health,” the previous pacer added.

Nonetheless, off-spinner Sajid Khan has missed out on choice regardless of his 19 wickets in opposition to England. The selectors, after bearing in mind the Centurion and Newlands circumstances in addition to South Africa because the opposition, have opted for just one specialist spinner in Noman Ali, who took 20 wickets in opposition to England and has 67 wickets in 17 Checks.

Additionally incomes the selectors’ nod for the primary time in ODIs is Sufyan Moqim, the left-arm wrist spinner who has taken eight wickets in two T20Is, together with 5 wickets for 3 runs within the second T20I.

The T20I squad will depart for South Africa on Friday, 6 December, after Thursday’s third T20I in opposition to Zimbabwe, whereas the ODI and Check gamers will depart for Johannesburg on 13 December. Pakistan males’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie may also arrive in Johannesburg on 13 December to oversee the pre-Check sequence camp.

“Our goal is to keep up consistency in ODI alternatives as a part of our ICC Champions Trophy 2025 preparations, whereas additionally giving rising expertise alternatives in T20Is alongside skilled gamers. For Checks, we’ve got centered on assembling a squad that may adapt to difficult circumstances and constantly compete on the highest degree.

“The Check sequence in opposition to South Africa can be extremely aggressive, however we’re assured in our group’s potential to safe a historic sequence win. Our focus in ODIs is to proceed constructing momentum forward of the Champions Trophy, whereas the T20I sequence offers a platform to mix expertise with rising expertise.”

Pakistan squads for South Africa tour

Pakistan Check 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 and Salman Ali Agha.

Pakistan ODI squad: 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).

Pakistan T20I squad: 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).