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Babar Azam in, Shaheen Afridi back as PCB reveals Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series

Debashis Sarangi

Babar, Shaheen will be in action vs SA [Source: AFP]Babar, Shaheen will be in action vs SA [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed Pakistan's squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Shan Masood has been retained as the captain, experienced batter Babar Azam has been included in the team. 

Babar, Shaheen included in PAK squad for SA Tests

Babar Azam, who managed only 45 runs across four innings in Pakistan's previous Test series against the West Indies, has retained his spot in the side. Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi makes his Test comeback after almost an year following his impressive returns in the Asia Cup 2025. The ace left-arm fast bowler played his last Test during the home series against England in October last year.  

The PCB has persisted with Shan Masood as Pakistan's Test captain despite the southpaw leading them to only three wins across twelve Tests. 

Other key highlights from Pakistan's squad selection

  • Pakistan have picked three uncapped players- Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram and Rohail Nazir in their Test squad for the South Africa series. While Afridi and Faisal are left-arm spinners, Nazir is a promising right-handed batter who can play a crucial role for the home side. 
  • Veteran batter Imam-ul-Haq receives a recall into the Test side, having played his last game in the format back in December 2023. He replaces Saim Ayub, who looked lacklustre with the bat in the Asia Cup 2025. 
  • Aamir Jamal, who lost his central contract earlier this year, finds a place in the side. Pakistan have picked a spin-heavy side, including Abrar, Asif, Faisal, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in the team. Meanwhile, Shaheen will spearhead the pace bowling department alongside Hasan Ali, Khurram Shahzad, with Babar forming Pakistan's batting core with Shan, Shafique, Rizwan and Agha Salman. 

Pakistan's squad for South Africa Tests

Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

The Test series between Pakistan and South Africa commences on October 12, with both teams taking on each other at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. The subsequent affair will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24 before these two teams collide in three T20Is and ODIs.