Follow UsAlmost a year after his last appearance, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi returns to the Test squad for the two-match series against South Africa, on September 30 (Tuesday).
Afridi was one of the star pacers for Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, where India bested them in the final. The left-arm pacer picked up ten wickets in the competition, averaging 16.40, but couldn’t have the same impact in the final, where he picked up just the one wicket.
Apart from that, uncapped players Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram and Rohail Nazir are also included in the 18-man squad for the two-match Test series. There isn’t a lot of surprise in the batting department with Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq forming the core of their top order, alongside mainstays Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam.
If Pakistan’s last home series is to be considered, there is a strong case that spinners will come into action because of slow and dry conditions. Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed will be the three frontline spin-bowling options.
Pakistan squad for South Africa Tests
Shan Masood (c), 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 and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Image Courtesy: Asian Cricket Council