CENTURION – Babar Azam and pacer Mohammad Abbas have made a comeback as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the playing XI for Boxing Day Test against South Africa on Wednesday.
The first Test will be played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26-30 December.
The right-handed batter has replaced out of form opener Abdullah Shafique, who failed to disturb the scorer in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa.
With Shafique not in the Playing XI, Pakistan red-ball skipper Shan Masood will open the innings with fellow left-handed opener Saim Ayub.
Vice-captain Saud Shakeel, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha are part of the playing XI.
The all-pace attack included all-rounder Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Abbas. With the exclusion of main spinners, Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub will be the part-time spin options for Shan Masood.
The hosts have also announced the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test.
Pakistan playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas.
South Africa playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Corbin Bosch.
Saim Ayub jumps 57 places as Babar Azam continues to lead ODI batters list
