Lahore: Pakistan’s cricket selectors have made a significant decision as they prepare for the upcoming tour of South Africa. On Wednesday, they announced the recall of former captain Babar Azam for the away Test series and white-ball matches, which are set to begin next week. However, in a surprising move, spinner Sajid Khan has been excluded from the squad despite his impressive performance in recent matches.
Babar Azam’s Return
Babar Azam was missed from the Playing XI following Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test against England in October. He was also rested for the ongoing limited-overs series against Zimbabwe, making his return to the team highly anticipated. Babar’s experience and batting prowess will be crucial for Pakistan as they face a challenging series in South Africa.
Tour Details
Pakistan is scheduled to play a series of three T20 Internationals starting December 10, followed by three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Test matches. The Test series is set to occur in Centurion and Cape Town, beginning with the first match on December 26. This series will be an important test for the Pakistani team as they look to build momentum ahead of future tournaments.
Sajid Khan’s Exclusion
Despite a commendable performance in the recent home series against England, where he claimed 19 wickets in a 2-1 victory, Sajid Khan has been left out of the touring squad. The selection committee has indicated that the decision was based on the pitch conditions in South Africa, which are expected to be less conducive to spin bowling. A major Person Aqib Javed, included in the selection committee, commented that, “We have adopted a horses-for-courses policy to ensure the squads are well-balanced. Dropping Sajid was an extremely difficult decision.”
Noman Ali’s Selection
In contrast to Sajid, Noman Ali has been retained as the sole spinner for the Test matches. Noman was effective against England, taking 20 wickets, and his inclusion reflects the selectors’ strategy to field a balanced side suitable for South African conditions.
Fast Bowling Changes
The selectors also announced that fast bowler Mohammad Abbas would return to the Test squad after last playing in 2021. His experience will be valuable as Pakistan looks to strengthen its bowling attack. Additionally, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been included only for the white-ball matches to manage his workload, highlighting the team’s emphasis on player fitness and sustainability.
Fakhar Zaman’s Ongoing Absence
In the opinion of Aqib Javed, opener Fakhar Zaman is still out of the playing XI because he has not yet returned to his previous form and match fitness. This absence leaves a gap in the opening lineup, which the selectors will need to address as they finalize the team composition.
Conclusion
As Pakistan gears up for the tour of South Africa, the recall of Babar Azam marks a strategic move aimed at strengthening the team. The exclusion of Sajid Khan, while controversial, reflects the selectors’ commitment to adapting to the conditions they will face.Combining seasoned players with rising stars, Pakistan intends to deliver a powerful performance in the forthcoming series. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the team will perform in what promises to be a competitive and exciting tour.
