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Babar Azam Returns As Pakistan Announce Playing XI For 1st Test vs South Africa 

Sakshi Sharma∙ Updated: Dec 25 2024, 7:24 PM

Babar Azam in Test cricket (Source:@army_babar56,x.com)Babar Azam in Test cricket (Source:@army_babar56,x.com)

In a significant development, Pakistan has officially announced their playing XI for the first Test against South Africa on December 25. The match will take place at the iconic SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. After a dominant 3-0 triumph in the ODI series, Pakistan will now aim to showcase their dominance in the longest format of the game. 

Babar Azam Returns and Abdullah Shafique Dropped

Pakistan’s stellar performance in the ODI series against South Africa, saw them sweep the hosts 3-0. Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan displayed clinical batting and bowling to outclass the Proteas. However, the challenges for the visitors in the longer format will be vastly different. 

On the other hand, South Africa will aim to make a comeback in the Test and will aim to take advantage of the home condition where the Proteas have often thrived.

It is important to mention that, former captain Babar Azam has been included in the playing XI. He was dropped after Pakistan's defeat in the first Test against England in Multan in October. 

Kamran Ghulam, who made his Test debut during Babar Azam’s absence in the England series, has held onto his spot in the team. However, in a notable omission, Abdullah Shafique, who has struggled with the bat on the ongoing South Africa tour, has been dropped from the XI for the first Test. 

In the bowling department, Pakistan’s star left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi has opted out of the first Test to manage his workload. It is also important to note that, Pakistan has decided to go with a four-man pace attack, which means there will be no specialist spinner in the XI for the first Test. The Shan Masood-led side is coming off a 2-1 series victory at home against England earlier this year. However, after that they had suffered a humiliating 0-2 loss to Bangladesh on home soil. 

Pakistan Playing XI vs SA

Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohamamad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel (vc), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.