The bowling attack sees the return of Abbas more than three years after his last Test match, while Shahzad returns after a recurring rib injury which initially ruled him out for several months after the first Test in Perth in December last, then again after the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in September. Naseem was released from the squad midway through the home series against England, meaning all-rounder Jamal is the only bowler to have also played in Pakistan’s last Test match.
“Since the Australia series, we have been supporting Aamer Jamal, even in spindly conditions,” Pakistan captain Masood had said earlier in the day at the press conference. “He’s taken the No. 8 spot and made it his own. There are different aspects to his bowling; he’s not one-dimensional. He’s skilled when he reverses and useful as an enforcer, and he is equally skilled with the new ball He is also impressed everyone with the bat, especially during the innings in Sydney and a few innings in Multan. The best teams in the world have players at number 7 and 8 who are versatile. and which allow you to play as a specialist. bowlers.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s patience finally ran out with Shafique, who has been struggling to find form across formats for over a year. Apart from his most recent ODI horror series, he also had a torrid 2024 in the longest format, averaging just over 15 in 12 innings. More than half of his 174 runs during this period came in a single innings in Multan on a surface so placid that England recorded the fourth highest total in Test history in the second innings . In his other 11 innings, he reached double figures only twice.
Pakistan had delayed announcing their final XI as South African captain Temba Bavuma made his squad public 24 hours earlier. With rain and the forecast for part of the Test match, the visitors had considered whether to opt for the safety of a spinner rather than going at full pace, but on a Centurion wicket as players from both sides acknowledged, looks exceptionally easy to sew, this option was considered surplus to requirements. They have the option of Salman Agha, who plays off-spin, and part-time left-arm spinner Saud Shakeel.
“Battering and bowling will be key parts of both line-ups,” Masood said. “Both teams are starting with the same ideas. South Africa have four seamers, and Corbin Bosch at number 9, who is an all-rounder. You have to trust the seamers to succeed, given the look of the pitch. “
Pakistan XI: 1 Shan Masood (captain), 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Kamran Ghulam, 5 Mohammad Rizwan (week), 6 Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Aamer Jamal, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Khurram Shahzad, 11 years old Mohammad Abbas
