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Pakistan squad for first Test against South Africa revealed

News Desk

Dec 25

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced playing XI for the first Test against South Africa.

 

As per the details, Pakistan will field four fast bowlers, including Mohammad Abbas, who last played a Test for Pakistan in August 2021 against West Indies.

 

Abbas made it to the Test squad due to his excellent domestic performance, claiming 31 wickets in five matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this year.

 

The playing eleven also includes captain Shan Masood, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas.

 

The two-Test series is due to start tomorrow (Thursday, Dec 26). The Boxing Day Test will be played at the Super Sports Park in Centurion.

 

The second Test will begin in Cape Town on Jan 3.

 

While Pakistan won their last Test series against England 2-1 in Oct this year, changes have been made to the winning batting lineup for the upcoming series.

 

Earlier in the day, it was reported that Pakistan has planned to field seven batters in the first Test against South Africa.

 

Captain Shan Masood will open the innings along with in-form Saim Ayub.

 

Former Test captain Babar Azam, who was dropped from the second and third Tests against England in October this year, is once again being included to the team in place of out-of-form Abdullah Shafique.

 

In the first Test against South Africa, Babar will play at number 3, Kamran Ghulam at number 4 and vice-captain Saud Shakeel at number 5.

 

ODI and T20 skipper, wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan, will bat at number 6.

 

In addition, all-rounder Salman Ali Agha will come to bat at number 7.


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