Pakistan Announce 17-Player Squad For First Test Against South Africa

Pakistan cricket selectors on Sunday announced a 17-men squad who will be available for selection for the first Test against South Africa, beginning Tuesday, January 26.

The uncapped players include off-spinner Sajid Khan and left-arm spinner Nauman Ali, who are expected to partner the experienced leggie Yasir Shah in the match, starting Tuesday in Karachi.

The other uncapped players are the opener, Imran Butt, who recently toured New Zealand and pacers, Haris Rauf and Tabish Khan.

Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha are the players who have been left out from the list of probable who were part of the training camp in the lead-up to the Test series.

Mohammad Rizwan continues to be the first-choice wicket-keeper after the way he led and batted in New Zealand in talisman Babar’s absence. However, Sarfaraz Ahmed is also part of the squad.

This is a historic series as South Africa have travelled to Pakistan after a gap of 16 long years. The visitors, meanwhile, also have a very slim chance, of making it to the final of the World Test Championship. Pakistan, however, is ruled out from the top-two race in WTC and won’t make it even if they win all their remaining fixtures.

Pakistan Squad For The First Test

Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Saud Shakeel, Sajid Khan, Fawad Alam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali and Hassan Ali.