Key players return as Pakistan unveil Playing XI for first Test against South Africa

CENTURIAN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday, unveiled their Playing XI, including star batter Babar Azam and veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas, for the first Test against South Africa.

The Boxing Day Test will be played at the Supersport Park from 26 December to 30 December.

Top-order batter Abdullah Shafique, who opened the innings alongside Saim Ayub during the Test series against Bangladesh and England, has been dropped owing to his below-par form.

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In Abdullah’s absence, captain Shan Masood will join Saim at the top of the order.

Meanwhile, Babar, who was dropped after the crushing defeat in the first Test of the home series against England, has returned to the line-up.

The rest of the batting order remains the same as that played in the last two Tests against England featuring Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha.

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Pakistan’s bowling attack will feature the returning Mohammad Abbas, who last represented Pakistan in August 2021.

He will be joined by pacers Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad and all-rounder Aamir Jamal to form an all-pace bowling attack.

Pakistan Playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas.

South Africa Playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch

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