Desperate move? Pak recalls 38-year-old Afridi, Akram after Asia Cup disaster

NEW DELHI: Pakistan connected Tuesday named a spin-heavy 18-member squad for the upcoming two-Test location bid against South Africa, recalling gait spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and including arsenic galore arsenic 5 spinners.

The bid begins successful Lahore connected October 12.Alongside regulars Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, Pakistan person added Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, and 38-year-old seasoned Asif Afridi to bolster their rotation department. Uncapped wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir has besides been named arsenic back-up to first-choice Mohammad Rizwan.

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Shan Masood volition pb the side, portion Shaheen returns to the Test fold aft a year-long absence.“There are 2 newcomers successful the rotation section to supplement Sajid and Noman, with the experienced Afridi and the talented Akram,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said successful a statement.Pakistan’s strategy reflects their penchant for spin-friendly conditions astatine home. Last year, they famously utilized almighty fans and patio heaters to hole dry, turning pitches during the England bid — a maneuver that paid disconnected arsenic they bounced backmost from an innings decision successful the opener to triumph the adjacent 2 Tests, with Noman and Sajid taking 20 and 19 wickets respectively.The 2nd Test volition beryllium played successful Rawalpindi from October 20.

This bid marks the archetypal World Test Championship (WTC) duty of the caller rhythm for some teams. South Africa won the erstwhile variation (2023–25), portion Pakistan finished ninth.The Tests volition beryllium followed by a three-match T20I bid and a three-match ODI series.Pakistan squad:Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi