PAK vs SA | Uncapped Asif Afridi and Faisal Akram get nod as Pakistan name spin-heavy squad

‌Pakistan has named a spin-heavy squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against South Africa. The 18-member team will feature spin-bowling all-rounder Asif Afridi, left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram, and wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir, all uncapped players.

Faisal has already played three ODIs for Pakistan after making his debut against Zimbabwe in November 2024. The 22-year-old wrist spinner has 44 wickets in nine first-class matches at an average of 30.95 and a strike rate of 40.4. Meanwhile, Asif is an experienced campaigner in the domestic scene with 198 wickets from 57 matches, but is yet to make his debut for Pakistan.  

The duo will join the primary spin attack of Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed, as Pakistan will continue to rely on its spin attack to maximise its advantage at home against the Proteas. The pace attack will have the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Aamer Jamal, and Khurram Shahzad.

The batting department wears a stable look with captain Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan all present in the expanded squad. Meanwhile, Nizar, the third uncapped player, got into the squad after an impressive century during Pakistan Shaheens’ tour of England, and will act as the backup wicketkeeper to Rizwan.

The two-Test series also marks the start of the new World Test Championship cycle for Pakistan. The first Test is scheduled to start in Lahore on October 12, with the second game set to take place in Rawalpindi on October 20. The Test series will be followed by a three-match T20I and ODI series, which will run up to November 8.

Pakistan squad for two-Test series vs South Africa

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, Shaheen Shah Afridi