Babar Azam and Mohammad Abbas are back in Pakistan’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa on Thursday at Centurion. Pakistan has opted for a pace-heavy attack on the fast bowler-friendly pitch, leaving out a specialist spinner.
Babar, excluded from the red-ball squad during the England series due to poor form, returns to strengthen the batting lineup. Meanwhile, Abbas earns his spot after an outstanding Quaid-e-Azam Trophy performance, claiming 31 wickets in five matches.
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Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad also makes his return, having recovered from an injury that kept him out of the England Tests. However, opener Abdullah Shafique has been dropped following his struggles in the recent ODI series, including three consecutive ducks.
The match holds high stakes as part of the ICC World Test Championship, with Pakistan needing just one win in the two-match series to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
