Islamabad, Dec 4: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the highly anticipated tour of South Africa, taking place from December 10, 2024, to January 7, 2025. The tour will feature three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. Below are the details of the squads and schedule.
Pakistan Squads for South Africa Tour
Test Squad
- 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
- 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
- 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
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 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 strong performances in domestic cricket. Shaheen Afridi has been rested for the Tests to manage his workload ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
- Emerging Talent in T20Is: Sufyan Moqim, recognized for his record-breaking T20I performances, is included in the ODI squad.
- Strategic Planning: The Test squad is prepared for pace-friendly conditions in South Africa, while the ODI and T20I squads aim to blend experience with youth.
- Comprehensive Tour: The series provides an opportunity to build momentum in ODIs for the ICC Champions Trophy, while testing the team in the Test format.
The Pakistan team will depart in two phases: the T20I squad will leave on December 6, followed by the ODI and Test squads on December 13.
