South Africa vs Pakistan Boxing Day Test: Pakistan has announced its playing eleven for the Boxing-Day Test against South Africa. Pakistan has included 34-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Abbas in the first match of the two-match series. Abbas, who took 90 wickets in 25 matches and was once an important part of the Pakistani Test setup, last played a Test match against West Indies in Kingston in August 2021. Apart from this, Babar Azam has also got a place for this match to be held at SuperSport Park.
There has been a significant reshuffle in Pakistan’s batting lineup for the Centurion Test. Abdullah Shafiq, who scored 132 runs in the home Test series against England in October last year, has been dropped. This decision has been taken due to Shafiq’s poor performance in the recent ODI series against South Africa. Shafiq had also failed to open the account in three matches.
Shaan Masood and Sam Ayub will replace Abdullah Shafiq at the top. Masood will open the innings with his experience, while Ayub is in form after scoring two centuries in the ODI series against South Africa. Another notable change has been seen in the batting order, in which former captain Babar Azam has returned to number 3.
Babar last played at this venue in December 2022 against England in Multan. Although his average at No. 3 is 30 in 10 Test matches, Babar’s consecutive fifties in the ODI series show that he is in a good position to improve this record.
Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad has returned after being out of the Test series against England. Khurram Shahzad was injured during the series against Bangladesh. Apart from them, the fast bowling department includes Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Aamir Jamal. The only option for spin bowling will be Salman Aga.
The middle order consists of Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam. Saud Shakeel has shown his ability to steady the innings while Rizwan plays the dual role of wicketkeeper-batsman. Kamran Ghulam, known for his patient play, completes the lineup designed to adapt to challenging conditions.
South Africa has been challenging for Pakistan for a long time. They have won only two out of 15 Tests played on African soil, while the team has lost 12. Pakistan has never won the Boxing Day Test in South Africa, losing in 2002 and 2018.
Regarding the first match of the Test series against South Africa, Pakistani captain Shan Masood said, “We are eager to test ourselves against South Africa, who has always been one of the top teams in the world. Recently, we faced England. “We have gained some momentum from the successful home Test series and ODI series against India, in which many of our Test team members were involved.”
Masood said, “We know that South Africa has performed well in this edition of the ICC World Test Championship, but we have also prepared well for this series, because we reached the country at least two weeks in advance. Have done.”
Pakistan’s playing XI: Shan Masood, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Salman Aga, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.
Also read: IND vs AUS: KL Rahul vs Rohit Sharma? Mohammad Kaif told who should open in the Boxing Day Test
