Star batter Babar Azam and experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas returned as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday, announced the playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa, scheduled to played at the SuperSport Park from December 26 to 30.
The lineup marks the return of ace batter Babar, who was left out the side for the last two Tests of the three-match series against England, held in October.
The right-handed batter, who has only managed to score 366 runs in 18 innings without amassing a half-century since his 161-run knock against New Zealand in December 2022, replaced right-handed opener Abdullah Shafique, who recently registered three consecutive ducks in the ODI series against South Africa.
As a result, Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood will now open the innings alongside in-form Saim Ayub.
Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha form the touring side’s middle-order for the opening Test, with all-rounder Aamir Jamal to follow at number eight.
The green shirts will go an all-pace attack, comprised of Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir and Abbas, who last represented Pakistan in August 2021 against West Indies, made his way back to the national team on the back of a stellar domestic season.
Pakistan’s playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas.
South Africa’s playing 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.
