Srinagar: Pakistan have announced its playing XI for the first South Africa Test with long forgotten veteran pacer making a comeback.
Star batter Babar Azam along with pacer Mohammad Abbas have returned to Playong XI as Pakistan face hosts South Africa in the first Test at at the SuperSport Park from December 26 to 30.
Babar returns to Playing XI after being left out of the side for the last two Tests of the three-match series against England, held in October.
Babar who has only managed to score 366 runs in 18 innings without amassing a half-century since his 161-run knock against New Zealand in December 2022, replaced right-handed opener Abdullah Shafique, who recently registered three consecutive ducks in the ODI series against South Africa.
As a result, Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood will now open the innings alongside in-form Saim Ayub.
Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha form the touring side’s middle-order for the opening Test, with all-rounder Aamir Jamal to follow at number eight.
Pakistan will go an all-pace attack, comprised of Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir and Abbas, who last represented Pakistan in August 2021 against West Indies, made his way back to the national team on the back of a stellar domestic season.
Pakistan’s playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas.
South Africa’s playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Corbin Bosch.