CENTURION: The first Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa will start today with Shan Masood’s side bringing back experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas to the national team after over three years.
Pakistan will go into the Boxing Day Test against hosts at Centurion with four spacers and seam-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal. Pakistan will play its first test without a specialist spinner. The bowling attack consists of Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad in the bowling attack.
National team captain Shan Masood says that the conditions here are favorable for fast bowlers and batters.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has been included in the team for the first time since August 2021.
Abdullah Shafique, who was picked for the last two Tests against England at home, has paid the price for his all-format loss of form that culminated in three successive ducks during the ODI series, with Kamran Ghulam keeping his place.
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Babar Azam, who was dropped for the last two Tests against England at home, returns to the XI and is slated to bat at No. 3.
Skipper Shan Masood will open the batting alongside Saim Ayub.
“Since the Australia series, we’ve backed Aamer Jamal, even in spin conditions,” Pakistan captain Masood said earlier at the press conference.
Pakistan vs South Africa squads
Pakistan XI: 1 Shan Masood (capt), 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Kamran Ghulam, 5 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6 Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Aamer Jamal, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Khurram Shahzad, 11 Mohammad Abbas
South Africa XI: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Corbin Bosch.
