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Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam Return; Pakistan's Probable Squad For South Africa Test Series

Anurag Dasgupta

Babar, Shaheen to make a comeback [Source: @SPORTFVR/X.Com] Babar, Shaheen to make a comeback [Source: @SPORTFVR/X.Com]

Pakistan is set to embark on a tough away tour of South Africa as the Asian giants will play the multi-format series against the Proteas team. Pakistan are already out of the World Test Championship (WTC) finale scenario, but will look to spoil South Africa's party.

On the other hand, Proteas are very much in the race and should fancy their chances against Pakistan, who have an average away record in the game's longest format. The Test series is still a month away, but with the T20Is and ODIs just around the corner, Pakistan can anytime announce their squads.

Ahead of the possible squad announcement, we look at their probable team, with two key players back in the side.

Babar, Shaheen back after England axe

Babar Azam, and Shaheen Afridi were excluded from the Pakistan Test squad for the final two Tests Vs England, last month. The team received a lot of backlash for this decision, but there was instant reward as Pakistan came back from behind to win the series, 2-1.

However, South Africa is no easy place to visit for an Asian side and to counter their pace threat, the visitors will need to include Babar Azam in the side. He will provide the stability in the middle-order as Pakistan batting has generally been fragile on away tours.

Similarly, in South Africa, pacers do maximum job, and even in that department, the visitors lack the cutting-edge. The pacy wickets their will suit Shaheen Afridi and as a result, he should also be included in the side.

Batting order remains the same for Proteas side

The Pakistan batting was a bit inexperienced for the last two Tests Vs England, but the seectors should persist with them in the longer rope. Hence, the likes of Saim Ayub, Kamran Ghulam, will all feature in the team, alongside the likes of Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and keeper-batter, Mohammad Rizwan. 

As expected, Shan Masood will lead the team. He lost his first 6 Test matches as captain, but roared back in style by defeating the English side, last month.

Inexperienced bowling attack may cause headaches

Barring Shaheen, who should make a comeback in the side, the pace attack looks inexperienced. There is Aamir Jamal, who is a promising prospect, but that is it. Zahid Mahmood is also there, but can Pakistan trust him in the whites in this important tour? They don't have too many options, but will have to persist with the likes of Jamal and Mahmood. Naseem Shah is also there in the reckoning, but his selction will depend on the injury status.

Pakistan will certainly take two spinners in the squad - Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, but only one will play since the pitches won't be conducive for spinners.

Pakistan probable squad for South Africa Tests

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood, Shaheen Afridi, Mir Hamza, Naseem Shah