CENTURION, South Africa: Pakistan has announced its playing XI for the first test match against South Africa, set to begin on Thursday at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Former captain Babar Azam has made a comeback to the Test squad after being dropped following the first Test against England in October.
Kamran Ghulam, who made his Test debut during Azam’s absence in the England series, retains his spot in the team. In a bold tactical move, Pakistan has decided against fielding a specialist spinner, opting instead for a formidable four-man pace attack.
Led by Shan Masood, Pakistan enters the series on the back of a mixed tour of South Africa. While they suffered a 0-2 defeat in the three-match T20I series, they bounced back to sweep the Proteas 3-0 in the ODIs.
This comes after Pakistan’s 2-1 series win at home against England in Tests, following a disappointing 0-2 loss to Bangladesh earlier in the year.
🚨 Pakistan's playing XI for the first Test against South Africa in Centurion 🇵🇰#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/8BdXEPAMfh
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2024
South Africa’s Lineup
South Africa, needing just one victory to secure their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, has also announced their squad. The Proteas have opted for an all-pace attack, with uncapped fast-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch making his Test debut.
Bosch will join forces with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Dane Paterson, as left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was ruled out due to injury.
Bosch’s inclusion comes after an impressive showing in first-class cricket, where he boasts an average of 40.46 in 34 matches. The 30-year-old made his ODI debut in the series finale against Pakistan in Johannesburg, contributing a crucial 40-run knock and taking the wicket of centurion Saim Ayub.
Top-order batter Ryan Rickelton retains his place in South Africa’s lineup, riding high on his match-winning century against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Gqeberha earlier this month.
The second Test will take place from January 3 in Cape Town.
Pakistan Playing XI
Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohamamad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel (vc), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.
South Africa 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.
