The Pakistan Men’s Cricket team has confirmed their squad for the South Africa tour, set to take place between December 10, 2024, and January 7, 2025. The three matches of T20I series, followed by three ODIs and two Test matches are scheduled for this period. Now with this careful selection of squads, Pakistan aims to cope with the demands of South African playing conditions and prepare themselves in advance for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as well.

• Pakistan will play three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests in South Africa.
• The side will prepare for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
• Both experience and young talent has been balanced in the team.

Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan Head The Side.

Star Pakistani batsman Babar Azam will feature in all three squads for Pakistan’s South Africa tour. Babar Azam, having been consistent in every format, is a cricketer who has come a long way for Pakistan to lead the team in this series. Pakistan announced on Tuesday T20I and ODI teams under Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy. Having gone through the form of late, Mohammad Rizwan brings leadership and experience, as the squad seems to be a part of the team.

• Babar Azam will feature in all formats.
• Mohammad Rizwan leads the T20I and ODI squads.
• Both players are vital for Pakistan’s performance on the tour.

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Workload Management

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been left out of the Test squad for workload management. Afridi, one of Pakistan’s standout players, will keep his fitness and form in good order for big events, especially the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His exclusion from the Test side is a good strategy keeping in mind that he keeps himself fit both physically and mentally for future events.

• Shaheen Afridi has been left out of the Test squad for workload reasons.
• The decision is taken to ensure his fitness for the ICC Champions Trophy.
• Afridi has been retained in the ODI and T20I squads.

Mohammad Abbas Back

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas makes a comeback to the Test side after nearly three years. Abbas, who has shown excellent form in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 31 wickets, is known for seam and swing bowling. With conditions favoring fast bowlers in the Test series against South Africa, his experience and skills will be crucial for Pakistan.

• Mohammad Abbas returns to the Test side.
• Abbas has been in top-notch form in domestic cricket.
• His inclusion strengthens Pakistan’s pace attack for the Test series.

Limited spinners

Pakistan has decided on only one specialist spinner in the Test squad, Noman Ali. Off-spinner Sajid Khan has been omitted from the team despite the fact that he has delivered outstanding performances, as South Africa is known for its pace-friendly conditions. The team has chosen seamers and has opted for Noman Ali in case they need to spin the ball as the pitch conditions demand so.

• Sajid Khan will miss out on the South Africa series due to the tempo-friendly conditions in South Africa.
• Noman Ali has been the sole specialist spinner selected for the Test.
• It is more of a seam-bowling squad ahead of the series.

Sufiyan Muqeem Gets ODI Call-Up

Sufyan Moqim, the left-arm wrist spinner, gets his maiden ODI call-up. Muqeem has looked a promising T20I performer, especially with the manner in which he picked five Zimbabwe wickets. Muqeem brings in some variety to Pakistan’s bowling, where it can play around with the option of wrist-spin in the ODI series.

• ODI debut by Sufiyan Muqeem
• Muqeem inclusion shows that the team lacks depth in spin bowling.
• Adds variety to Pakistan’s bowling with wrist spin

Naseem Shah Included In Both ODI And Test Squads

Fast bowling prospects Naseem Shah have been included in all squads for the South Africa tour. Only 21 years old, Naseem has shown plenty of promise with his pace and swing. His selection here would only suggest that the team has complete confidence in him and that he would be vital in South Africa, where the fast bowlers usually find conditions favorable.

• Naseem Shah is given a place both in ODI and Test side.
• Pace and all-ability make him crucial to Pakistan.
• His in the test side proves his potential which selectors believe for a good future.

Khurram Shahzad & Mir Hamza Add Strength To The Pace Attack

Experienced fast bowlers Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza have been added to the Test team. Khurram Shahzad has been in good form, taking 15 wickets in recent matches for Pakistan Shaheens, while Mir Hamza brings his experience and discipline to the team. Their inclusion ensures Pakistan has a well-rounded pace attack for the South Africa tour.

• Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza are included for their fast-bowling expertise.
• Both players add depth to Pakistan’s pace attack.
• Their experience will be valuable for the Test series.

Tour Schedule And Focus On ICC Champions Trophy

The tour will start with the first T20I on 10 December in Durban. The tour comprises three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches. The last Test match is scheduled for 3 January, 2025 in Cape Town. Pakistan would use this tour to gain a run of form before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while also giving chances to younger players to get the most out of the games.

• The tour begins from the first T20I on December 10.
• Focus on building momentum for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
• Emerging players will be given opportunities alongside experienced cricketers.

Conclusion

The Pakistan squad for the South Africa tour seems balanced in that it encompasses experience and young fresh blood. The choices made, including that for workload management on Shaheen Afridi and excluding Sajid Khan, reflect the selectors’ concentration on adapting to conditions and planning for the future. This tour is also an ideal opportunity for Pakistan to try out its squad and gain momentum for future international challenges-the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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