The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the Test, ODI, and T20I squads for the upcoming South Africa tour. After completing the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, where Pakistan have played a three-match ODI series and are playing another three-match T20I series, Pakistan will tour South Africa. After losing the first ODI, Pakistan won the ODI series against the hosts Zimbabwe by 2-1. On the other hand, while the last T20I will be played on December 5, Pakistan have already secured the T20I series by leading it 2-0. 

In the South Africa tour, Pakistan will play a three-match T20I series, a three-match ODI series, and a two-match Test series. The Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

While Mohammad Rizwan will lead the T20I and ODI teams, Shan Masood will lead the Pakistan Test side. The T20I series, ODI series, and Test series will start on December 10, December 17, and December 26, respectively.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi is out of the Test squad

Last October, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi were dropped from the Test squad after losing the opening game of the home Test series against England. While Babar and Naseem have joined the Test squad for the South Africa tour, Shaheen Shah Afridi hasn’t been included in the Test team. For the South Africa tour, Babar is in all three squads, while Afridi is missing from the Test team, and Naseem will play in the ODI and Test series. 

Mohammad Abbas, who last played a Test match for Pakistan in 2021, has returned to the Test squad. While the left-arm spinner Noman Ali will travel to South Africa for the Test series, the off-spinner Sajid Khan has been dropped only due to pace-friendly conditions.

Pakistan never won a Test series in South Africa

Pakistan have won two T20I series, and two ODI series but have won only two Tests and never won a Test series. Pakistan drew a Test series in South Africa in 1998, where they recorded their first Test win in South Africa, and won their last Test match in 2007. 

Pakistan's full squad for South Africa tour

T20Is: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain, wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).

ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain, wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).

Tests: Shan Masood (Captain), 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.

While Pakistan batter Babar Azam has maintained the top position in the ODI batting rankings, a Pakistan pacer has returned to the top in the ODI bowling rankings. 

Recently, Pakistan shined with a historic ODI series win against the hosts Australia, as the visitors won the three-match ODI series by 2-1 after losing the series opener. 

ODI bowling rankings: Shaheen Shah Afridi shines along with Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah

While the left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi finished the away ODI series in Australia with eight wickets after three matches, he climbed to the top place of the ODI bowling rankings. 

Other Pakistan fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah both moved up to 14 positions in the ODI bowling rankings, as Rauf is in the 13th place and Shah is in his career-best 55th position. Rauf won the Player of the Series award in the ODI series in Australia after picking up 10 wickets and finishing the series as the leading wicket-taker. Meanwhile, Shah took five wickets in the series.

In the ODI bowling rankings, while the Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has kept his second-place position, South African Keshav Maharaja and the Indian Kuldeep Yadav are in the third and fourth places, respectively. 

While Babar Azam finished the ODI series as the third leading run-scorer with 37, 15 not out, and 28 not out, the right-handed Pakistan batter remained on top of the ODI batting rankings. Indian batters Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli are in the second, third, and fourth places, respectively. 

Former Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi, who won the Player of the Series award against Bangladesh in the ODI series, has continued his top place in the ODI all-rounder rankings. Afghanistan cricketers Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai have climbed third and ninth places, respectively. Bangladesh cricketer Mehidy Hasan Miraz is in fourth place.

SEE ALSO: Mohammad Nabi set to retire from ODIs after Champions Trophy 2025

T20I bowling and batting rankings

English spinner Adil Rashid is staying in the top place of the T20I bowling rankings, while the Sri Lankan star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is in second place after jumping four spots. Caribbean spinner Akeal Hosein and Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi have climbed to third and seventh positions, respectively. 

While the Australian cricketer Travis Head is on top of the T20I batting rankings, the English cricketers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler and the Caribbean star Nicholas Pooran have climbed to second, sixth, and 10th places, respectively. 

Sanju Samson, who recently became the first Indian cricketer to record T20I centuries in back-to-back innings, has improved 27 ranks by reaching 39th position in the T20I batting rankings. 

In an unexpected turn of events during the third and final ODI between Pakistan and Australia, Pakistan captain Babar Azam turned into an on-field 'doctor' for pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The incident, which showcased Azam's quick thinking and concern for his teammate, took place at Perth on Sunday, November 10. Pakistan, on the verge of a historic ODI series win in Australia after 22 years, displayed more than just competitive spirit as Azam stepped in to care for his injured teammate.

Shaheen Afridi suffers painful thumb Injury mid-match

The injury occurred during the 26th over when Australian batter Sean Abbott completed a run. As a throw from the outfield came back, it bounced awkwardly and struck Shaheen Afridi directly on his left thumb. The star pacer immediately crouched down in pain, clutching his injured thumb while waiting for the medical staff. But before the physios could reach him, captain Babar Azam rushed over and began massaging Shaheen’s thumb in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.

This moment of camaraderie didn’t go unnoticed by the commentators and fans, who praised Azam for his immediate response. His gesture highlighted the strong bond within the Pakistan team and his commitment to his players both on and off the field.

Dr Babar is on the case! 👨‍⚕️#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/FupHfqon3p

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 10, 2024

Pakistan dominates Australia with strong Bowling performance

Pakistan’s performance with the ball was just as strong, restricting Australia to a modest total of 141. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Pakistan's bowlers put the Australian batting lineup under pressure. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah led the attack, each picking up three wickets, while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain contributed with crucial breakthroughs. Australian batsmen struggled, with Sean Abbott’s 30 runs being the highest score. Injuries and form issues, like Cooper Connolly's mid-game injury and Jake Fraser-McGurk’s struggles, further hampered Australia's efforts.

See Also: Australian squad announced for Perth Test with two potential Test debutants

Pakistan, now in a favorable position to secure the series win, is on the brink of making history by ending a 22-year drought for an ODI series win in Australia. As they chase a target of 141, the team has a clear pathway to clinch the series, showcasing both skill and unity.

Babar Azam’s compassionate gesture towards Shaheen Afridi added a personal touch to a high-stakes match. Pakistan’s strong showing with the ball and their united team spirit put them in an excellent position to claim a memorable series victory in Australia. This performance not only highlights their athletic ability but also the resilience and camaraderie within the squad—a true testament to Pakistan cricket’s ongoing evolution.

Pakistan's white-ball formats head coach, Gary Kirsten, has raised alarms about the heavy workload of their star fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi. Afridi, who is currently playing for the Lions in the Champions One-Day Cup, has bowled 19.5 overs so far, taking five wickets at an average of 24. Kirsten’s concern comes as Pakistan prepares to face England in a three-match Test series starting on October 7, with Afridi’s fitness being crucial for their success.

Afridi rested to manage workload

Afridi was recently rested for the second Test against Bangladesh to help manage his workload. With a packed schedule ahead, including the crucial Test series against England, Kirsten highlighted that both Afridi and Naseem Shah have been shouldering Pakistan’s bowling burden across formats. He emphasized the need for proper rest to keep these key players fit and firing.

“Fast bowlers are always under immense pressure to deliver and win games. When we look at our key resources, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have carried the bulk of the workload for Pakistan across all formats,” said Kirsten on commentary during the Champions Cup game.

“I saw a stat the other day that Shaheen has bowled three times more overs than any other fast bowler in the world over the last 18 months. That's alarming — you’re bound to wear him down eventually,” he added.

Afridi's recent performance and stats

Although Kirsten mentioned that Afridi has bowled the most overs among fast bowlers in the last 18 months, this claim is inaccurate. Australia's Mitchell Starc holds that record, having bowled 531.3 overs since March 2023, while Afridi ranks fourth with 455.1 overs. However, Afridi has been the most prolific wicket-taker during this period, claiming 96 wickets in 54 innings at an average of 24.19. Despite these impressive numbers, Afridi will be keen to improve his Test performance, having taken only five wickets in five Test matches over the last 18 months at an average of 40.81.

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As Pakistan seeks their first Test win at home since February 2021, Afridi’s performance will be key in their upcoming campaign against England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to star players Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan for their participation in the Global T20 Canada. This decision was confirmed in an official statement from the board, which followed consultations with the players and the national selection committee. The move comes just a week after the PCB similarly denied an NOC to Naseem Shah for the Hundred, where he was signed by the Birmingham Phoenix.

“The PCB had received NOC requests from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi for the Global T20 event, amongst other players. After taking into consideration Pakistan’s busy and packed cricket calendar in the period from August 2024 to March 2025, which includes nine ICC World Test Championship matches and next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and following consultations with the three players as well as the national selection committee, it has been decided to decline their requests,” PCB said in a statement.

Focus on international schedule and workload management

The PCB cited Pakistan’s busy international schedule as a key factor in their decision. With the trio playing significant roles across all formats, their presence will be crucial for Pakistan’s upcoming fixtures, which include nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is over the next eight months.

The board emphasized that the decision was made in the best interest of managing player workload and ensuring peak performance for crucial international matches.

“PCB had also declined permission to Naseem Shah for The Hundred on the same grounds…”

From October 2024 to May 2025, Pakistan’s packed schedule features series against England, Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the West Indies, culminating in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy.

“The three are all-format cricketers, and their services are expected to be required in the upcoming eight months during which Pakistan will play nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is. As such, and in line with the PCB’s workload management policy, it is in the best interest of Pakistan Cricket and the players that they skip the upcoming event in Canada so that they are in their best mental and physical shape for the season, which commences with the two-Test series against Bangladesh,” the statement added.

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“Earlier, the PCB had also declined permission to Naseem Shah for The Hundred on the same grounds,” the PCB said in the statement.

“In the meantime, the PCB has approved NOCs for Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Nawaz. The four players are predominantly white-ball cricketers, while Iftikhar and Nawaz are centrally contracted players,” the statement concluded.

The dynamics of leadership within the Pakistan cricket team have been under scrutiny as Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brief tenure as T20I captain draws to a close. With Babar Azam, the incumbent white-ball skipper, offered the reins once again, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself at a pivotal juncture in its quest for stability and success on the international stage.

Babar Azam Offered White-Ball Captaincy

Recent developments within the PCB indicate a shift in leadership as Babar Azam is approached to resume his role as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket teams. Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, personally extended the offer to Babar, signaling a potential change in the team’s leadership structure.

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Afridi’s Leadership Struggles

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s tenure as T20I captain has been marred by challenges both on and off the field. Despite showing promise as a young leader, Afridi faced criticism for his handling of the team during the recent T20I series against New Zealand, where Pakistan suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat. Additionally, his franchise, Lahore Qalandars’ dismal performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) further raised doubts about his leadership capabilities.

While Babar Azam remains a central figure in Pakistan’s cricketing landscape, his acceptance of the captaincy offer is contingent upon certain conditions. Following his resignation as captain across all formats after Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar has expressed his desire to lead the team in all three formats or not at all.

Selection Committee Arrangement

The current selection committee setup introduces a unique approach to decision-making, with a panel of selectors making choices through a voting process. This arrangement aims to ensure a collaborative and transparent selection process, albeit with its own set of challenges and intricacies.

There are four selectors – Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf – with no chief selector. They will be joined by the Pakistan captain and coach – both yet to be appointed – and a data analyst. Selection decisions will be made by vote, with 4-3 majorities carrying the day.

Next Series: Pakistan vs New Zealand

As Pakistan prepares to face New Zealand in their upcoming series, all eyes will be on Babar Azam as he potentially resumes his role as captain. With the series serving as a litmus test for the team’s resilience and cohesion, Babar’s leadership will be crucial in guiding Pakistan to success on the field.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain of Lahore Qalandars captain spoke about the importance of the Pakistan Super League for the country’s greater good. According to him, cricket makes people happy and hence the T20 league brings joy.

Afridi on PSL bringing joy

Pakistan has been struggling on all fronts for quite some time. The Pakistan T20I captain who is also the Lahore Qalandars skipper, Shaheed Shah Afridi highlighted amidst this how the PSL brings distraction and joy for the people who love cricket. “The way the country’s situation is. The PSL and cricket is something that makes people happy. Elections just got over, so I’m hopeful the crowds turn up and support cricket.”

When I wasn’t captain, I didn’t know a lot of things

In an interaction with ESPNcricinfo, Afridi also talked about his learnings from captaincy. “When I wasn’t captain, I didn’t know a lot of things. Some so them are so basic I don’t even want to tell you about them. When you’re a bowler you only focus on yourself and your bowling.” He explained how everyone in the squad is equal to a skipper. He spoke about how a leader must take the team along with them and be extra responsible for everyone who is part of the squad and team management.

“When you’re captain, the 11 who play and the five sitting on the bench are all your players. You have to treat them as individuals, talk to them all, and keep a friendly atmosphere. You even have a responsibility to conduct yourself in a particular way with the coaching staff, because you’re all pursuing the same goals.”

Afridi replaced Babar Azam as Pakistan’s T20I captain after the 2023 World Cup based on his previous captaincy stint with the Lahore Qalandars. He had taken charge of them ahead of the 2022 PSL edition and led them back-to-back two titles. However, under Afridi’s captaincy Pakistan lost their maiden series 4-1 to New Zealand away from home.

In the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, it appears that former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is likely to lose his opening slot. The opening pair is expected to be Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, as per reports from Auckland, indicating a shift in strategy. During practice sessions, Rizwan and Saim were seen facing new ball bowlers, while Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman focused on spinners in separate nets.

The newly appointed captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with the new high-performance coach Yasir Arafat and team director Muhammad Hafeez, seem keen on experimenting with fresh strategies in the T20I series. Despite the potential change, it’s worth noting that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been successful openers for Pakistan since 2021.

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Babar Azam is expected to bat at number three, followed by Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as Pakistan’s vice-captain for T20Is ahead of the New Zealand tour, starting from January 12. This move is part of the team’s preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA, scheduled from June 1-29.

Rizwan, expressing his gratitude for the role, mentioned his excitement to work closely with the captain, coaching staff, and teammates to contribute to the team’s success. With 85 T20I appearances since his debut in 2015, Rizwan has accumulated 2,797 runs, including one century and 25 half-centuries. He has also been efficient behind the stumps, taking 41 catches and executing 11 stumpings.

Pakistan squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan.

Criticism has been directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their alleged failure to manage player workloads, particularly in the case of premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. There are indications that Afridi might be rested for the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney, pending the outcome of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. This decision follows the substantial rib cage injury suffered by Khurrum Shahzad after his notable debut against Australia.

Following Pakistan’s loss in the first Test in Perth, where Khurram Shahzad was injured, there are concerns about the workload of pace bowlers, particularly T20 captain Shaheen Afridi. The PCB is keen on monitoring and managing their bowlers’ workload, considering the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States, less than six months away, with the series against New Zealand playing a pivotal role in their preparations.

Amidst backlash and concerns over Shaheen Afridi’s form, there are discussions within the PCB about resting him for the Sydney Test if he doesn’t perform well in Melbourne and the team faces another defeat. This strategic move aims to keep Afridi fresh for the subsequent T20I series in New Zealand.

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Pakistan’s bowling attack is already weakened with the absence of injured Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, who opted out of the series to participate in Australia’s T20 Big Bash League. Khurram Shahzad’s injury is a significant setback, prompting his return to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore for comprehensive injury care and rehabilitation.

The team management is contemplating experimenting with a new opening combination of Saim Ayub and Babar Azam during the T20I series in New Zealand. This decision arises as the former Pakistan skipper, who has partnered with Muhammad Rizwan in T20s for the past few years, has been advised to prepare for a potential new opening partner. Pakistan faces challenges in reshaping their bowling unit and finding effective combinations amidst the ongoing series against Australia and the impending T20 contests in New Zealand.

Pakistan cricket always manages to make headlines for the wrong reasons, no matter what. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management change was supposed to boost cricket in the country to new heights, but many former players have questioned how the governing body is run under Najam Sethi’s leadership. Rashid Latif, a legend in Pakistan, launched a vicious attack on the PCB on Tuesday, even suggesting that the Pakistan team can now “rest in peace.”

Latif’s remarks came after the Pakistan Cricket Board declared Shadab Khan as captain for the T20I series against Afghanistan, with Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi being refreshed. Babar and Rashid’s exclusion from the T20 squad for the series prompted Latif to brutally attack the board

“Our players are featuring in ICC rankings and winning awards after a long time. Babar and Shaheen won ICC awards. They [PCB] couldn’t digest it. They said we won’t let it happen and now we are here and will make decisions. Those who never took rest and are 70 or 80-year-old and need to rest, are now deciding the fate of Pakistan cricket. You can say rest in peace Pakistan team. Our team is now resting in peace. When you bring new players, you break a team combination. Some new players, who are selected, will perform in the Afghanistan series, so will they bring back the senior players back with lesser strike rate. Media will also put pressure on them. This is the first step towards destroying the Pakistan team”

Latif said, as per Cricket Pakistan.

 “I want to congratulate Shadab Khan on his appointment as the Pakistan team captain for the series against Afghanistan. Shadab Khan has been the Pakistan vice-captain in white-ball cricket for the past couple of years and it is logical that he takes over the side in the absence of Babar Azam for the short three-match T20I tour of Sharjah.”

Najam Sethi had said, explaining his decision after the squad announcement.

“For the short Sharjah tour and to ensure continuity, we have also appointed Mohammad Yousuf as the interim head and batting coach. Yousuf has been with the national side since last year as a batting coach and has also been working in the National High Performance Centre.”

He further added.

Pakistan Squad: Shadab Khan (C), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan.