The Pakistan cricket team’s management and selection committee have devised a bold strategy for the first Test against South Africa, scheduled to begin on Thursday at SuperSport Park, Centurion. The team plans to field seven specialist batters in their lineup, aiming to strengthen their batting depth against a challenging South African bowling attack.
Opening Combination: Shan Masood and Saim Ayub
According to sources, in-form batter Saim Ayub will open the innings alongside team captain Shan Masood. This pairing reflects the team’s confidence in Saim’s current form and Shan’s leadership to provide a solid start at the top of the order.
Babar Azam Returns to the Test Side
Former Test captain Babar Azam is set to make his return to the playing XI after being dropped earlier this year. In October, Babar struggled during the first Test against England in Multan, managing scores of 30 and 5, which led to his exclusion from the subsequent Tests. Now, Babar has been included in the squad to replace out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique. He is expected to bat at the critical No. 3 position, where his performance will be closely watched.
Middle Order Setup
The middle order will feature Kamran Ghulam at No. 4, followed by vice-captain Saud Shakeel at No. 5. One-Day and T20 captain Mohammad Rizwan will take the No. 6 spot, adding stability and experience as the team’s wicketkeeper. Batting all-rounder Salman Ali Agha rounds off the lineup at No. 7, providing additional support in both batting and bowling departments.
Series Overview
This two-match Test series is part of Pakistan and South Africa’s ongoing competition in the ICC Test Championship. The first Test is set to commence on December 26 at Centurion’s renowned SuperSport Park. The series follows a white-ball leg where South Africa claimed victory in the T20 series, while Pakistan dominated the ODI series, achieving a clean sweep against the hosts.
Key Highlights
Babar Azam’s Comeback: All eyes will be on Babar Azam as he returns to Test cricket at No. 3, aiming to regain his form and contribute significantly to the team’s success.
Balanced Batting Lineup: With seven specialist batters, Pakistan is looking to build a formidable lineup against South Africa’s potent bowling attack.
White-Ball Momentum: Pakistan enters the series with confidence from their recent ODI triumph, hoping to carry that momentum into the Test matches.
The upcoming clash promises to be an exciting contest as Pakistan looks to make a strong start to the Test series against a competitive South African side.
