The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa, and while the team includes a mix of seasoned players and rising stars, some selections—and omissions—have sparked widespread discussion among cricket enthusiasts.
The tour, scheduled from December 10 to January 7, features three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. However, the squad list for each format has left fans debating the logic behind some key decisions.
One of the most notable absences from the Pakistan Squad for South Africa Tour is Fakhar Zaman. Once considered a reliable mainstay in Pakistan’s batting lineup, Fakhar’s exclusion comes due to a lack of match fitness, according to the PCB.
His omission signals that the selectors are looking toward players who are in better shape as Pakistan builds its squad for future tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
With Saim Ayub impressing against Zimbabwe and Australia, Fakhar’s time in the limelight may be coming to an end sooner than expected.
In a move aimed at workload management, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been left out of Pakistan’s Test squad for the South Africa tour.
Afridi, who has struggled with injuries in the past, will only play in the white-ball formats during this tour. PCB officials confirmed this decision was made to keep the star pacer physically and mentally fresh for key events, particularly the Champions Trophy.
His absence, however, raises questions about the strength of Pakistan’s bowling attack in the longer format.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan, who performed admirably against England with 19 wickets in the last series, has surprisingly not been included in the Test squad.
Despite his recent success, the selectors opted for left-arm spinner Noman Ali as the lone specialist spinner, citing the pace-friendly conditions in South Africa. This decision has drawn mixed reactions, with many feeling Sajid deserved a place in the team.
The return of Mohammad Abbas to the Test squad for Pakistan’s tour of South Africa is one of the biggest surprises. Abbas, who last played for Pakistan in August 2021, has been recalled after an impressive domestic season.
His standout performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he took 31 wickets in five matches, earned him a spot. With 90 wickets in 25 Tests, Abbas’ ability to exploit seam-friendly conditions in South Africa is seen as a key asset.
In white-ball cricket, left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Muqeem has been handed his maiden ODI call-up. The youngster has firmly established himself as the future of Pakistan cricket after his recent performances and PCB has wasted little time in making him a regular first-team player to help his development.
The South Africa tour will serve as a litmus test for these selections, particularly in the Test matches, where Pakistan faces a formidable challenge on bouncy and seaming tracks.
While the ODI and T20 squads appear balanced, the Test lineup will be under scrutiny as it heads into one of cricket’s most demanding arenas without its leading pacer or a seasoned spinner like Sajid Khan.
The series begins on December 10 with the first T20I in Durban, and all eyes will be on Pakistan’s performance as they aim to justify these bold selection decisions.