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Former skipper Babar Azam has returned to the squad as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, set to be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion from Thursday.
Babar last featured for Pakistan in the first Test against England in October. Since then, the right-handed batter was not selected in the playing XI for the remaining two matches of the series. The 30-year-old, who has scored just 366 runs in 18 innings, has not registered a fifty since his 161-run knock against New Zealand in December 2022. He replaces right-handed opener Abdullah Shafique, who recently recorded three consecutive ducks in the ODI series against South Africa. Left-handed batter Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan will serve as the wicketkeeper. The PCB has also included Saim Ayub, the player of the tournament from the ODI series. Pakistan has opted for a bowling attack comprising four seamers--Naseem Shah, Muhammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, and Aamer Jamal--and one spin all-rounder, Salman Ali Agha. Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel and right-handed batter Kamran Ghulam have also secured spots in the squad. Earlier on Tuesday, hosts South Africa announced their playing XI for the Centurion Test, with bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch set to make his debut. Playing XIs: Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Abbas. South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch. (ANI)
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