Rohail Nazir, Asif Afridi and Faisal Akram named in Pakistan’s test squad to face South Africa later this month.
Pakistan pick uncapped Rohail Nazir, Asif Afridi and Faisal Akram for Tests against SA.
The expanded 18-man Pakistani team for the two-Test series against South Africa includes three uncapped players: wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir, left-arm wristspinner Faisal Akram, and spin-bowling all-rounder Asif Afridi. However, the team will be reduced closer to the first Test match, which starts in Lahore on October 12.
Shan Masood will remain captain, as previously stated, and the team, except the players returning from the Asia Cup, will train in Lahore beginning this evening and continuing through October 8. On October 4, the Asia Cup players Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Agha, Hasan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed will arrive for the training.
Afridi, 38, is the most seasoned of the newcomers. In 57 first-class games, he has claimed 198 wickets at an average of 25.49.
Akram, who is twenty-two years old, is on the other extreme of the age range. Since making his first-class debut in December 2023, he has taken 44 wickets at an average of 30.95 in nine games. Akram has taken five wickets in his three ODI appearances.
Together with regulars Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar, the two will expand Pakistan’s spin options.
The third of the new faces is Rohail Nazir, a 23-year-old who is well-liked in Pakistani cricket. Since making his debut in the 2018–19 season, he has played 43 first-class matches, averaging 34.45 with the bat, and has already made his T20I debut at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
While the batting department has a seasoned and reliable appearance with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, and other regulars joining captain Masood, Pakistan’s fast-bowling options are the tried-and-true Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Aamir Jamal.
Pakistan squad for two-Test series vs South Africa
Shan Masood (capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi