Faisal Akram, Asif Afridi, Rohail Nazir in Pakistan Squad

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan have named three uncapped players—wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir, spin-bowling allrounder Asif Afridi, and left-arm wristspinner Faisal Akram—in an 18-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, starting October 12 in Lahore.

The squad will be trimmed closer to the first Test.

Shan Masood will continue as captain, leading a squad that will begin a training camp in Lahore this evening, running until October 8. Players returning from the Asia Cup—Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Salman Ali Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi—will join the camp on October 4. The camp will be overseen by red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood and NCA coaches.

Among the newcomers, 38-year-old Asif Afridi brings experience with 57 first-class matches, taking 198 wickets at an average of 25.49.

In contrast, 22-year-old Faisal Akram, who made his first-class debut in December 2023, has nine matches under his belt with 44 wickets at an average of 30.95, and has also played three ODIs, claiming five wickets. Both will bolster Pakistan’s spin options alongside regulars Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/pcb-unveils-18-man-squad-for-south-africa-tests/

Rohail Nazir, 23, has impressed in domestic cricket and made his T20I debut at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. He has played 43 first-class matches since 2018-19, averaging 34.45 with the bat.

Pakistan’s fast-bowling department will feature established names Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Aamir Jamal, while the batting line-up looks solid with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, and other experienced players joining captain Masood.

The second Test will be played in Rawalpindi from October 20, followed by a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series.

Pakistan’s 18-Man Squad for the Two-Test Series vs South Africa:

Shan Masood (capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, 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