Rising Stars Afridi, Nazir, and Akram Join Pakistan Test Ranks

Pakistan’s 18-man squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa includes uncapped players Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, and Rohail Nazir, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday (September 30). Despite a challenging captaincy record of just three wins in 12 games, Shan Masood retains his role as Test captain.

Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), 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, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The top three batters include Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, and Imam-ul-Haq, while the middle order features Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, and Saud Shakeel. Rohail Nazir offers an additional wicket-keeping option.

Pakistan’s bowling lineup reveals a strategy focusing on spin, with Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and left-arm spinners Afridi and Akram being named, likely indicating spin-friendly pitches. The pace attack comprises Aamir Jamal, Hasan Ali, Khurram Shahzad, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle will begin with this two-match series starting on October 12. The first match will take place in Lahore, and the second in Rawalpindi on October 20. South Africa, who are the current World Test Championship mace holders, will face Pakistan, who finished at the bottom of the standings last time, winning just five out of 14 Tests.

Following the Test series, three T20Is and three ODIs will be played, with Pakistan’s white-ball squads to be revealed later.