The tour comprises three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches, with a focus on building momentum ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Babar Azam is part of all three squads, joined by Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha. Fast bowler Naseem Shah returns for ODIs and Tests, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been selected for white-ball formats after missing the last two Tests against England.
Notably, Fakhar Zaman was excluded from the squads due to his ongoing form and match fitness issues. Mohammad Abbas returns to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus, having claimed 31 wickets in five Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches.
The selectors have opted for a single specialist spinner, Noman Ali, in the Test squad, considering the pace-friendly conditions in South Africa. Sajid Khan, despite his impressive performance against England, misses out on selection.
In ODIs, left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim earns his maiden call-up after an impressive performance in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed explained the selection process, stating that the PCB has adopted a "horses-for-courses" policy to ensure well-balanced squads for the South Africa tour.
The first T20I will be played in Durban on December 10, followed by the ODI series in Paarl, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. The Test matches will be held at Centurion and Cape Town on December 26-30 and January 3-7, respectively.
Pakistan s squads for the South Africa tour
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, Salman Ali Agha
ODIs:
Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk)
T20Is:
Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wk)
