On Tuesday, Pakistan announced an 18-man squad for the two-Test series against South Africa, featuring five spinners and the return of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan’s squad includes the formidable spin pair Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, along with Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, and seasoned Asif Afridi for the series commencing in Lahore on October 12.
Shan Masood will lead the team, marking fast bowler Shaheen’s comeback to Test cricket after a year-long absence.
The Pakistan Cricket Board stated, “There are two new spinners to bolster Sajid and Noman, alongside the experienced 38-year-old Afridi and the promising Akram.”
Last year, Pakistan used large fans and patio heaters to dry pitches and favor spin, leading to a 2-1 victory over England at home.
After losing the first Test by an innings, Pakistan employed a spin-heavy strategy, with Noman claiming 20 and Sajid 19 wickets in the final two Tests.
Also joining the squad on Tuesday is uncapped wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir as a backup for regular keeper Mohammad Rizwan.
The second Test is scheduled for Rawalpindi on October 20, marking the first series for both teams in the fourth cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC).
South Africa clinched the WTC (2023-2025), while Pakistan finished at the bottom in ninth place.
The Test series will be followed by three T20I and three ODI matches.
Squad:
Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
