The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named the Green Shirts’ December South Africa tour teams. First, three T20Is, then three ODIs, then two Tests on January 7. Mohammad Rizwan will captain the T20I and ODI squads, while Shan Masood will captain the Tests. The squad needs consistency and balance, thus Rizwan, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha play all three formats.

Following Pakistan’s 2-1 ODI series win over Zimbabwe and 2-0 T20I advantage, this tour begins. These wins offer the team a solid basis for South Africa. Pakistan also won Australia’s home ODI series for the first time in 22 years. The hosts whitewashed them in the next T20I series.

Pakistan needs the South Africa tour to prepare for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The team wants to improve their playing combinations, try new strategies, and gain momentum for the important competition.

The absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test squad is intriguing. Shaheen was named to the white-ball squad after missing the last two Tests against England. The PCB is carefully monitoring his workload to keep him fresh and ready for the Champions Trophy. His crucial role in white-ball cricket warrants resting him for Tests, even though several expected him in red-ball cricket.

Mohammad Abbas, who last played in Jamaica in 2021, returns to the Test squad after taking 31 wickets in five Quaid-i-Azam Trophy matches. Abbas has had a good Test career for Pakistan, and his return will provide the bowling attack experience.

Sufyan Moqim, a left-arm wrist spinner, took eight wickets in two T20I matches, including a thrilling five-wicket haul. He’s anticipated to add spin variety in his first ODI call-up. Khurram Shahzad, who grabbed 15 wickets for Pakistan Shaheens in Sri Lanka, will join him for the Tests. Mir Hamza, the fourth Test fast bowler, plays for Peshawar in the domestic tournament.

The selectors chose Noman Ali over Sajid Khan for the Test squad due to the conditions in South Africa, especially at Centurion and Newlands, where his left-arm spin may be useful. Noman took 20 wickets in the England series and is in great form.

The T20I squad will leave for South Africa on December 6 after the last T20I against Zimbabwe, while the ODI and Test squads will leave on December 13. Red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie will lead pre-Test series training in Johannesburg.

Interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed said the PCB is using a “horses-for-courses” approach to ensure all three squads are well-balanced and capable of competing well in South Africa. The PCB wants to maximise this tour by developing momentum for the Champions Trophy and blending experience with youth.