Babar Azam and Mohammad Abbas have been included in Pakistan’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa on Thursday. Pakistan has opted for a pace-heavy lineup, favoring fast bowlers over a regular spinner on the pace-friendly Centurion pitch.
Babar, who was dropped from the red-ball squad during Pakistan’s home series against England due to underperformance, makes his return to the team.
Abbas, who last played for Pakistan in August 2021 against the West Indies, earns his place after an impressive showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he claimed 31 wickets in five matches.
Alongside Babar and Abbas, fast bowler Khurram Shahzad also returns to the squad after missing the home Test series against England due to injury. The team has dropped out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique, who struggled in the recent ODI series, failing to score, including three consecutive ducks.
The first Test against South Africa promises to be highly competitive, following Pakistan’s historic 3-0 whitewash in the recent ODI series. This two-match Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship, is particularly crucial for the hosts, as they need just one win to qualify for the final.
Pakistan XI: Shan Masood (Captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Abbas.
South Africa XI: Temba Bavuma (Captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.