Pakistan Cricket Squad Set for Key Changes Ahead of South Africa Tour, The Pakistan cricket team is preparing for its December tour of South Africa with significant updates to their squad for the white-ball formats. This tour will consist of three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.
Returning to the squad are left-arm batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq. Their comeback marks a major shift as both have been absent from recent matches. Fakhar, notably, was previously excluded after publicly supporting Babar Azam following his controversial exclusion from a Test series against England. This incident led to disciplinary action by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), impacting Fakhar’s place in the current Australia series and his central contract. However, improved relations with the PCB have allowed Fakhar to rejoin the team.
Imam-ul-Haq, with a strong ODI average of 48.27, is also back. The left-handed opener has been a valuable part of Pakistan’s batting line-up, last playing against South Africa in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. His return aims to strengthen Pakistan’s squad in both ODIs and Tests.
Pakistan vs. South Africa Tour Schedule
| Match Format | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 10 Dec | Durban |
| 2nd T20I | 13 Dec | Centurion |
| 3rd T20I | 14 Dec | Johannesburg |
| 1st ODI | 17 Dec | Paarl |
| 2nd ODI | 19 Dec | Cape Town |
| 3rd ODI | 22 Dec | Johannesburg |
| 1st Test | 26-30 Dec | Centurion |
| 2nd Test | 3-7 Jan | Cape Town |
The tour promises a full slate of matches, with T20Is launching on December 10, followed by ODIs starting December 17, and concluding with the Test series from December 26 to January 7.