Pakistan vs South Africa Test Series Kicks Off Tomorrow
Pakistan and South Africa are gearing up for an all-important two-match Test series starting tomorrow, December 26.
Pakistan comes into the series with momentum, having clean-swept the ODI series 3-0. However, South Africa balanced the equation by clinching the T20 series 2-0.
Stakes are higher for the hosts as a single victory in this series will confirm their place in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 final at Lord’s in 2025.
Pakistan are already out of the race, standing at the seventh spot in the Test Championship standings with 33.33 percentage points.
Pakistan will be captained by Shan Masood, and their squad sees the return of star players Babar Azam and Naseem Shah. Both were rested during Pakistan’s previous Test assignment against England, a series they won at home. The comeback of Mohammad Abbas is another significant inclusion who impressed in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 31 wickets in just five matches.
However, Pakistan has opted for a pace-heavy attack, omitting off-spinner Sajid Khan despite his stellar performance against England. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali is the only specialist spinner in the squad, reflecting the fast-bowler-friendly conditions expected in South Africa.
South Africa’s squad includes two uncapped players, Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka. Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj, both nursing injuries, are in the squad, though their participation remains uncertain.
Match Schedule:
1st Test: 26-30 December, Centurion Park (1PM PKT)
2nd Test: 3-7 January 2025, Newlands Cricket Ground (1:30 PM PKT)
Squads:
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne
Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
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