Fast bowler Mohammad Amir and opener Fakhar Zaman are back in the team as the National Cricket Selection Committee has announced a 16-man squad for the Test series against South Africa.
Young left-arm opener Imam ul Haq has been given another life despite failing to impress in all three matches against New Zealand in the ongoing series.
Another left-arm opener Shan Masood, who has shown signs of improvement in the domestic season and then against England A, along with the wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan have made way into the team.
ALSO READ
South Africa Announces Test Squad for Home Series Against Pakistan
All-rounder Faheem Ahsraf who was left out of the Test side following Pakistan’s tour to England and Shadab Khan, who recently recovered from a back injury, are also the part of sixteen.
Key paceman Mohammad Abbas, who was ruled out of the third match against New Zealand with a shoulder injury, has also recovered to be the part of the squad.
His presence will help Pakistan in the bowler-friendly conditions of Pretoria.
The 16-Man Squad:
| Sarfraz Ahmed (c) | Asad Shafiq | Azhar Ali | Fakhar Zaman |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Shan Masood | Babar Azam | Haris Sohail |
| Faheem Ashraf | Shadab Khan | Mohammad Rizwan | Yasir Shah |
| Mohammad Amir | Mohammad Abbas | Hassan Ali | Shaheen Shah Afridi |
On Thursday, South Africa announced their 13-man squad for the upcoming series which featured the young middle-order batsman Zubayr Hamza and fast bowler Duanne Olivier.
As per the announcement, Faf du Plessis would lead the team in the Test series.
South Africa Squad:
| Faf du Plessis (captain) | Hashim Amla | Temba Bavuma |
| Theunis de Bruyn | Quinton de Kock | Dean Elgar |
| Zubayr Hamza | Keshav Maharaj | Aiden Markram |
| Duanne Olivier | Vernon Philander | Kagiso Rabada |
| Dale Steyn |
The three-match Test series commences on the Boxing Day in Pretoria. The second Test is scheduled in Cape Town from 3-7 January, with the series finale in Johannesburg from 11-15 January.
