Babar Azam's comeback headlines Pakistan's Test squad amidst key omissions

Joining Abbas in the Test pace attack are Naseem Shah, who is making a comeback after missing the last two Tests against England, and Khurram Shahzad, who earned his spot after a strong performance for Pakistan Shaheens against Sri Lanka ‘A,’ claiming 15 wickets. Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza rounds out the four-man pace attack. Off-spinner Sajid Khan, despite his impressive tally of 19 wickets against England, has not been included. The selectors have opted for a lone specialist spinner, Noman Ali, considering the conditions at Centurion and Newlands. Ali, who excelled in the England series with 20 wickets in two Tests, has 67 wickets in 17 Tests overall.

In the white-ball squads, former skipper Babar Azam has been named in all three formats alongside wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, opener Saim Ayub, and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha. The white-ball team also sees the inclusion of Sufyan Muqeem, who earned his maiden ODI call-up following his remarkable performance in the second T20I against Zimbabwe, where he claimed five wickets for just three runs.

Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha