Babar Azam returns to Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series

ISLAMABAD: After being left out of the Asia Cup 2025 squad, star batter Babar Azam has been recalled to Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa scheduled to begin next month in Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced an 18-player squad for the two-Test series, which will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle. The squad also features Mohammad Rizwan, another seasoned batter who was not included in the playing XI during the Asia Cup.

The Test team, captained by Shan Masood, includes three uncapped players, reflecting the selectors’ intent to build depth in the red-ball format.

According to the PCB, the first Test will take place from October 12 to 16 in Lahore, followed by the second Test in Rawalpindi from October 20 to 24.

The PCB clarified that the final playing XI will be announced ahead of the opening Test match.

Following the Test series, South Africa’s tour will continue with three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, scheduled between October 28 and November 8.

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Pre-series training camps will begin today and run through October 8, under the supervision of red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood and coaches from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Players who participated in the recently concluded ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, which the India have won, will join the squad on October 4.

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Pakistan Test squad for the South Africa series includes: Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Sajid Khan, Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Khurram Shahzad, Asif Afridi, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Faisal Akram, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Salman Ali Agha, and Saud Shakeel.

Fixtures:

1st Test: October 12–16 – Lahore

2nd Test: October 20–24 – Rawalpindi

T20Is & ODIs: October 28 – November 8