Pakistan Names Spin-Heavy Squad, Recalls Shaheen Afridi for South Africa Test Series

TDT | Manama

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Pakistan on Tuesday announced an 18-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, starting in Lahore on October 12. The selection features five spinners and the return of fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who comes back to the longest format after a year-long absence.

Shan Masood will lead the side, which includes the seasoned spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, alongside Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, and veteran Asif Afridi. "There are two newcomers in the spin department to supplement Sajid and Noman, with 38-year-old Afridi, who brings experience, and the talented Akram," said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement.

In a nod to their successful home strategy against England last year, Pakistan have previously prepared spin-friendly pitches using industrial-sized fans and patio heaters. That spin-heavy approach helped them recover from an innings defeat in the first Test to win the next two, with Noman and Sajid claiming 20 and 19 wickets respectively.

Uncapped wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir has also been included as backup for regular Mohammad Rizwan. The second Test of the series will be held in Rawalpindi from October 20. This marks the first encounter between the two teams in the fourth cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC), in which South Africa finished as champions while Pakistan ended ninth.

The Test series will be followed by a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series.

Pakistan Squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi