Asif Afridi headlines Pakistan’s squad announcement as selectors include three uncapped players for the two-Test home series against South Africa. Alongside Asif Afridi, young left-arm wristspinner Faisal Akram and wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir have also earned maiden Test call-ups in the expanded 18-man squad. The final squad will be trimmed ahead of the first Test, scheduled to begin on October 12 in Lahore.
Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while a training camp in Lahore begins today and will run until October 8. Players returning from the Asia Cup, including Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Salman Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, are set to join the camp on October 4. The sessions will be supervised by red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood along with NCA coaches.
Among the newcomers, Asif Afridi, aged 38, brings vast domestic experience with 57 first-class appearances, bagging 198 wickets at an impressive average of 25.49. His inclusion provides Pakistan with a seasoned spin option. In contrast, 22-year-old Faisal Akram represents the other end of the spectrum, having only debuted in December 2023. Despite limited exposure, he has already played nine first-class matches with 44 wickets and featured in three ODIs.
Asif Afridi’s selection strengthens Pakistan’s spin department, which already includes Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed. Alongside him, Rohail Nazir, a highly-rated 23-year-old, adds promise to the squad. Nazir has experience in 43 first-class matches, averaging 34.45 with the bat, and has also represented Pakistan in T20Is at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
In the pace attack, Pakistan will continue to rely on Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Aamir Jamal, while the batting lineup boasts established stars such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, and Saud Shakeel, under the leadership of Shan Masood.
The second Test of the series will be staged in Rawalpindi from October 20. Following the red-ball contests, Pakistan and South Africa will also clash in a three-match T20I and a three-match ODI series.
Pakistan squad for the two-Test series vs South Africa:
Shan Masood (capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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