PCB cracks whip on ENG series star Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi too excluded from SA Tests

PCB found time amidst all the drama surrounding Champions Trophy, to reveal the squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa on Wednesday. The tour will have three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests, which will be part of the WTC 2023-25. One major exclusion from the side was that of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who won’t play the Tests, and will feature in the white ball series’, to focus on the CT 2025.

Plus, there was no space for struggling Fakhar Zaman, due to fitness issues, as per an ICC release. Another shock, or call it surprise, was that Sajid Khan, who was the architect of Pakistan’s win against England, has not been inlcuded in Test side.

“We have adopted a horses for courses policy to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of performing strongly in South Africa,” selector and interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed said. “Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, was an extremely tough and difficult decision. However, considering the pace-friendly conditions at Centurion and in Cape Town, we opted for Mohammad Abbas instead, who is an outstanding exponent of seam bowling.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness.

SA vs PAK Begins on Dec 10

“Our aim is to maintain consistency in ODI selections as part of our ICC Champions Trophy 2025 preparations, while also giving emerging talent opportunities in T20Is alongside experienced players. For Tests, we have focused on assembling a squad that can adapt to challenging conditions and consistently compete at the highest level.

“The Test series against South Africa will be highly competitive, but we are confident in our team’s ability to secure a historic series win. Our focus in ODIs is to continue building momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy, while the T20I series provides a platform to blend experience with emerging talent.”

Pakistan Test squad: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), 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.

Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c,wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk).

Pakistan T20I squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c,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 Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk).