Babar Azam Recalled South Africa Tour

The Pakistan cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, recalling former captain Babar Azam for the Test and white-ball matches, while spinner Sajid Khan has been left out of the team despite strong performances in recent home series.


Introduction

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced the squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa, where the national team will play a series of matches starting next week. Among the notable inclusions is former captain Babar Azam, who returns to the squad after being dropped following Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test against England in October. The recall of Babar Azam is a significant decision as he has long been a key player for Pakistan, both in Tests and limited-overs formats.

However, there was a surprising omission from the squad: spinner Sajid Khan. Despite his impressive performance in the home Test series against England, where he claimed 19 wickets, the selectors have decided not to include him, citing the nature of South Africa’s pitches and the need for a well-balanced squad. This decision has raised some eyebrows, as Sajid’s absence leaves Pakistan with only one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, for the upcoming Test series.


Babar Azam’s Return to the Team

Babar Azam’s recall is seen as a much-needed boost for Pakistan, especially after his absence during the ongoing limited-overs series against Zimbabwe. Azam had been dropped following a disappointing performance in the first Test against England. This series marked a crucial phase for Pakistan’s cricket team as they were hoping to rebuild their squad and regain form. Azam’s return is expected to provide the much-needed leadership and stability in the middle order, as he is one of Pakistan’s most consistent and reliable batsmen.

Azam’s leadership was also missed during the series against Zimbabwe, and his presence is crucial for both the upcoming limited-overs matches and the Test series against South Africa. His skill set in both formats makes him an indispensable player for Pakistan, and fans are eagerly awaiting his performance on South African soil.


Sajid Khan’s Omission: A Tough Call

One of the most debated decisions from the selection committee was the exclusion of spinner Sajid Khan. Sajid had been in excellent form during the home Test series against England, where he played a vital role in helping Pakistan win 2-1. His performance was pivotal, with 19 wickets in the series, and many expected him to be a key figure in the South Africa tour.

However, the selectors decided to leave him out, as South Africa’s pitches are typically not conducive to spin bowling. The fast, bouncy tracks in South Africa are expected to favor pacers, and as a result, the selectors felt that a strong pace attack would be more effective. This policy of “horses for courses,” as explained by Aaqib Javed, a senior member of the selection committee, was adopted to ensure a well-balanced squad for the conditions in South Africa.

Leaving Sajid Khan out was described as an extremely difficult decision, given his exceptional form. However, the focus now shifts to Noman Ali, who is the sole spinner in the Test squad. Ali had also been impressive against England, taking 20 wickets, and will be expected to lead the spin department in the two-Test series in Centurion and Cape Town.


Changes in the Pace Attack

Pakistan’s pace attack has also seen some changes, with fast bowler Mohammad Abbas making a return to the squad. Abbas has not played a Test match since 2021 but is recalled due to his consistent ability to bowl in challenging conditions. Abbas’ inclusion in the squad adds experience and balance to the fast-bowling unit, which will play a crucial role in the South African conditions.

The selectors have decided to manage the workload of fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been included only for the white-ball matches. Afridi has been a key player for Pakistan in all formats, but the decision to limit his participation in the Test series is aimed at managing his workload and ensuring that he remains fit for future series.


Team Composition for the Tour

The Pakistan squad for the South Africa tour consists of a blend of experienced players and younger talents, with a clear focus on strengthening the team’s balance in all formats. Here’s a breakdown of the squad for each format:

Test Squad

  1. Babar Azam (captain)
  2. Mohammad Abbas (bowler)
  3. Shaheen Shah Afridi (bowler)
  4. Noman Ali (spinner)
  5. Fawad Alam (batsman)
  6. Azhar Ali (batsman)
  7. Imam-ul-Haq (batsman)
  8. Abid Ali (batsman)
  9. Yasir Shah (bowler)
  10. Hasan Ali (bowler)
  11. Sohail Khan (bowler)

White-Ball Squad

  1. Babar Azam (captain)
  2. Shadab Khan (vice-captain)
  3. Shaheen Shah Afridi (bowler)
  4. Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
  5. Imam-ul-Haq (batsman)
  6. Haris Sohail (batsman)
  7. Fakhar Zaman (batsman)
  8. Shoaib Malik (batsman)
  9. Wahab Riaz (bowler)
  10. Haider Ali (batsman)
  11. Mohammad Hasnain (bowler)

The South Africa Tour: A Crucial Challenge

The tour to South Africa is a vital series for Pakistan, both in terms of preparation for future international events and the opportunity to regain form. South Africa’s pitches offer a different challenge compared to other countries, with fast and bouncy tracks that tend to favor seamers. Pakistan’s fast-bowling unit will need to step up to the challenge, with players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Abbas expected to lead the charge.

The T20 and ODI formats will also be important for Pakistan, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of upcoming global tournaments. With players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the lineup, Pakistan will hope to regain momentum in the white-ball formats, where they have been less consistent in recent times.


Conclusion

The Pakistan team’s squad for the South Africa tour is an interesting mix of experience and youthful energy. The inclusion of Babar Azam, Mohammad Abbas, and Noman Ali adds depth to the team, while the exclusion of Sajid Khan has raised questions. However, the selectors have made it clear that the decision is based on the playing conditions in South Africa, where spin is unlikely to play a major role.

As the team prepares for their challenge in South Africa, all eyes will be on key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Noman Ali. The outcome of this tour will have a significant impact on Pakistan’s future international fixtures and the development of their cricketing squad.


FAQs

1. Why was Babar Azam dropped from the Pakistan team earlier this year? Babar Azam was dropped after a poor performance in the first Test against England in October. His recall comes after a period of rest and reevaluation of his form.

2. What is the reason for Sajid Khan’s omission from the South Africa tour? Sajid Khan was left out due to the conditions in South Africa, which are less favorable for spinners. The selectors decided to focus on a stronger pace attack for this series.

3. Who is Pakistan’s primary spinner for the South Africa Test series? Noman Ali is Pakistan’s sole specialist spinner for the Test series against South Africa. He was chosen over Sajid Khan due to the nature of the pitches.

4. Will Shaheen Shah Afridi play in the Test series? Shaheen Shah Afridi has been selected only for the white-ball formats due to workload management. He will not feature in the Test series against South Africa.

5. When does the first Test match against South Africa begin? The first Test match between Pakistan and South Africa will start on December 26 in Centurion.

MUST READ:

https://flarenews.pk/2024/12/04/pakistan-largest-creditor-china-debt-crisis/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *