Pakistan Announces Squads for South Africa Tour; Babar Azam Returns to All Formats

Selectors prioritize conditions and player workload, leaving out Shaheen Afridi from Tests and Sajid Khan despite recent performances.

Babar Azam, previously dropped and rested, has been recalled to Pakistan's squads for all three formats for the South Africa tour starting December 10.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has been excluded from the Test squad to manage his workload ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and will only play in white-ball matches.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas returns to the Test side after a three-year absence, bolstered by strong domestic performances in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Sajid Khan, despite his 19 wickets in the recent England series, was left out of the Test squad due to South Africa's pace-friendly conditions, with Noman Ali selected as the sole spinner.
Pakistan will play three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests during the tour, with the first Test commencing on December 26 in Centurion.