Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced an 18-member Test squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa, with Shan Masood continuing as captain. The squad features three new faces — Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram and Rohail Nazir. The national training camp will be held in Lahore from September 30 to October 8. Players currently engaged in the Asia Cup will join the squad on October 4.

The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, from October 12 to 16, while the second Test is scheduled in Rawalpindi from October 20 to 24. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are included in the squad. Alongside them, Abdullah Shafiq, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, and Saud Shakeel have also been named.

The squad also features all-rounder Aamir Jamal, pacers Hassan Ali and Khurram Shahzad. Pakistan’s spin attack comprises Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Kamran Ghulam, and Abrar Ahmed, strengthening the squad’s bowling options on home conditions. Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, young spinner Faisal Akram, and wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir have earned call-ups, adding depth to the squad.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)