LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against South Africa, reducing the initial 18-man list announced last month.
All-rounder Aamer Jamal and left-arm spinner Faisal Akram are the two players omitted from the final lineup. Aamer had been considered for a Test return, while Faisal earned his first national call-up. Both will now return to domestic action in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy — Aamer representing Lahore Whites and Faisal turning out for Multan Region.
The opening Test will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from October 12 to 16, followed by the second at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24. The series marks the start of the World Test Championship campaigns for both nations, with South Africa entering as defending champions.
After the red-ball series, South Africa will stay in Pakistan for six white-ball matches — three T20Is between October 28 and November 1, split between Rawalpindi and Lahore, followed by a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8 at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Squads for the limited-overs fixtures will be announced later.
Pakistan’s final Test squad for the South Africa series includes: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, 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.
With the home advantage and a settled lineup, Pakistan will be looking to open their World Test Championship journey with a strong performance against one of world cricket’s top sides.
