Pakistan cricket has received a significant boost with the announcement of fast bowler Khurram Shahzad's return to the Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa, as confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on December 25, 2024. Shahzad's inclusion follows his recovery from a side injury sustained during the Bangladesh Test series, which kept him sidelined for the home series against England.
At just 25 years old, Khurram is regarded as one of the promising talents within the squad and is eager to prove himself following his impressive Test debut in Australia. Joining him is veteran Mohammad Abbas, aged 34, who makes his comeback to Test cricket after two years, having last played the format in August 2021. This dual reintegration is seen as pivotal for bolstering Pakistan's pace attack, especially considering the conditions expected to prevail during the series.
“The return of pacer Khurram Shahzad, who did really well on his debut in Australia, and the seasoned campaigner Mohammad Abbas is a welcome development for Pakistan's Test side,” said Shan Masood, the captain of the Pakistan team. He added, “We know South Africa has done well in this iteration of the ICC World Test Championship, but we have prepared for this series in the best possible manner after having arrived at least two weeks ago.”
The Test series against South Africa, which begins on December 26, 2024, at SuperSport Park in Centurion, is the first red-ball assignment for interim head coach Aqib Javed. His recent appointment follows Pakistan's successful ODI series against the Proteas, where they outperformed expectations, securing victory 3-0 after a disappointing T20 series.
The squad for the first Test includes notable players such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, alongside the returnees Shahzad and Abbas. The PCB has carefully crafted the squad with both experience and youth, anticipating the pace-friendly conditions of Centurion and Cape Town. Notably, Shaheen Afridi has been rested to manage his workload leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and Sajid Khan has been left out due to tactical decisions favoring pacers over spinners.
South Africa's squad also features key players who have been performing well under pressure, strengthening their position at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings. Their recent form has made them formidable opponents, creating added excitement around this series.
With the series set to play out over two matches—the first scheduled for December 26-30, 2024, and the second from January 3-7, 2025—both teams aim for success to improve their standings. For Pakistan, the goal will be to secure their first Test win on South African soil since 2006. At the same time, the Proteas will be striving to cement their berth for the World Test Championship final.
This coming series presents not just another match on the schedule, but rather a chance for Khurram Shahzad and his teammates to make history. The combination of fresh talent and seasoned warriors like Abbas could well be the difference-maker as Pakistan takes on one of the toughest test challenges abroad.
