LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa, set to begin tomorrow. The match will be held at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Boxing Day, marking the first of a two-match Test series between the two teams.
Pakistan to Field Four Fast Bowlers in the First Test
In an exciting move, Pakistan has opted to field four fast bowlers in their playing XI. The most notable inclusion is the return of experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas, who has been called up after a stellar performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Abbas, who last played a Test for Pakistan in August 2021 against the West Indies, claimed an impressive 31 wickets in five matches this season, earning his spot in the team.
Full Playing XI for Pakistan in First Test
The Pakistan team for the first Test match includes the following players:
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Shan Masood | Captain, Batsman |
| Saim Ayub | Batsman |
| Babar Azam | Batsman |
| Kamran Ghulam | Batsman |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Wicketkeeper, Batsman |
| Saud Shakeel | Batsman |
| Salman Ali Agha | All-rounder |
| Aamir Jamal | All-rounder |
| Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler |
| Khurram Shahzad | Fast Bowler |
| Mohammad Abbas | Fast Bowler |
Test Series Details: Boxing Day Match and Upcoming Fixtures
This Test series will be an important part of the ICC World Test Championship. The first match, a Boxing Day encounter, will be played in Centurion, followed by the second Test starting January 3 in Cape Town. This series comes after a mixed performance by Pakistan in the limited-overs formats. They suffered a 2-0 defeat in the T20I series but managed to secure a historic 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series on South African soil.
Shan Masood Leads Pakistan’s Test Squad
Pakistan’s last Test series, under the captaincy of Shan Masood, ended in a 2-1 victory against England. The squad for the Test series includes:
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Shan Masood | Captain, Batsman |
| Saud Shakeel | Batsman |
| Aamir Jamal | All-rounder |
| Abdullah Shafique | Batsman |
| Babar Azam | Batsman |
| Haseebullah | Wicketkeeper, Batsman |
| Kamran Ghulam | Batsman |
| Khurram Shahzad | Fast Bowler |
| Mir Hamza | Fast Bowler |
| Mohammad Abbas | Fast Bowler |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Wicketkeeper, Batsman |
| Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler |
| Nauman Ali | Spinner |
| Saim Ayub | Batsman |
| Salman Ali Agha | All-rounder |
Pakistan Eyes Competitive Test Series Against South Africa
With strong performances in recent ODIs and a solid Test squad, Pakistan aims to put up a competitive display in the upcoming series against South Africa. Fans are eagerly anticipating an exciting and closely contested battle in the ICC World Test Championship.
