Aamer Jamal, Faisal Akram dropped from South Africa series squad

LAHORE: In a pre-series shuffle, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has trimmed its expanded Test squad ahead of the much-anticipated two-match Test series against South Africa, releasing all-rounder Aamer Jamal and uncapped wrist spinner Faisal Akram.

The move comes as no surprise after the PCB had initially announced an 18-member lineup on September 30 with a clear indication that it would be narrowed down before the first ball is bowled.

Also read: PCB selection committee talks heat up ahead of South Africa series

Both players now make way as Pakistan focuses on a more streamlined combination heading into the World Test Championship (WTC) opener.

Jamal, who has featured in eight tests for the men in green, finds himself sidelined, while young left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram will have to wait longer for his international debut.

The first Test, starting October 12 in Lahore, marks the beginning of the WTC campaign for both Pakistan and South Africa. The Proteas arrive with confidence, having lifted the previous WTC title after defeating Australia earlier this year. Pakistan, on the other hand, are eyeing redemption after finishing at the bottom of the last WTC cycle.

This series also holds historical significance. It will be South Africa’s first red-ball tour of Pakistan since January 2021, when they suffered a 2-0 whitewash.

Led by Shan Masood, Pakistan’s updated squad includes Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi. The hosts will be banking on their senior players to set the tone early in the series.

PAKISTAN FINAL SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TESTS:

Shan Masood (capt)
Abdullah Shafique
Abrar Ahmed
Asif Afridi
Babar Azam
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

PAKISTAN VS SOUTH AFRICA: UPCOMING FIXTURES

Test matches:

Oct 12-16 – 1st Test, Lahore
Oct 20-24 – 2nd Test, Rawalpindi

T20I:

Oct 28 – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
Oct 31 – 2nd T20I, Lahore
Nov 1 – 3rd T20I, Lahore

ODIs:

Nov 4 – 1st ODI, Faisalabad
Nov 6 – 2nd ODI, Faisalabad
Nov 8 – 3rd ODI, Faisalabad

Also read: PCB mulls over women squad for South Africa Test series

Meanwhile, behind closed doors, the PCB selection committee continues to hold discussions over the white-ball squads for the back-end of the tour. With whispers of potential comebacks for former skippers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, and the future of Salman Ali Agha’s T20I captaincy under scrutiny, the upcoming squad announcements are highly awaited.