South Africa vs Pakistan - 1st Test - Squad and Key Players

Updated At: 2024/12/22

Pakistan’s tour to South Africa has reached its final instance and the two teams are now all set to meet in the Test format. The Test series between South Africa and Pakistan will have 2 fixtures and the first match is scheduled to begin on 26th December. Check out the match prediction for the SA vs PAK Test Series.

The Boxing Day Test is important for the hosts because of their chances to reach the World Test Championship finals. They are currently at the top of the WTC point table with 6 wins and 3 losses. The Proteas are just one win behind to cement their space in the finals at Lords next year. Considering the importance of the Test series, the hosts have completely shifted their focus on the red-ball.

Pakistan has a very bleak chance to see themselves at the Lord’s next year. If they qualify for the final fixture of WTC, it will be a miracle for the Men in Green. However, their focus will be to start the series with a win in the 1st Test.

South Africa vs Pakistan - 1st Test - Head-to-Head

South Africa	Matches (28)	Pakistan
15	Won	6
6	Lost	15
7	Drawn	7
0	Tied	0
12	Home Won	3
2	Away Won	2
1	Neutral Won	1
215.8	Average Runs	219.5
431	Maximum Run	378
108	Minimum Runs	119

South Africa vs Pakistan - 1st Test - Squad

South Africa

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)

The Proteas will be under the leadership of Temba Bavuma. There are a few changes in the squad for the hosts. The selectors have taken a chance with the fitness of Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder. Keshav Maharaj is currently struggling with a groin strain and Muldler is still going through the recovery of his previous injury.

If Keshav Maharaj is unavailable to play, Left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy is the only option the hosts have for the 1st Test. South Africa is going through a series of injuries in their bowling unit with Lungi Ngidi (hip), Gerald Coetzee (groin), Nandre Burger (lower back stress fracture) and Lizaad Williams (knee) going through the recovery of their respective injuries.

In the absence of their primary bowling attack, Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka, are the two new pacers named in the team. The duo will be under pressure to perform for a better future with the team.

Probable Playing XI for the 1st Test

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)

Pakistan

Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

Shan Masood will be the leading man for Pakistan and the series also marks the return of their star batsman Babar Azam and Naseem Shah. Babar Azam, after struggling for months with his form, showed some glimpses of his return in the 2nd ODI by scoring 73 off 95 at a strike rate of 76.84. This will be a huge confidence boost for him for the red-ball series.

The selectors have decided to continue without Shaheen Afridi. He is currently taking an international break and will be part of the Bangladesh Premier League. Mohammad Abbas, who was last seen playing the Test format in 2021, is making his return to the squad.

Khurram Shahzad is also making his return to the squad after recovering from his rib injury. Surprisingly, Sajid Khan has also been left out of the squad but Noman Ali has been named to travel to South Africa.

Probable Playing XI for the 1st Test

Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

South Africa vs Pakistan - 1st Test - Key Players

1) Keshav Maharaj - South Africa

The Proteas selection committee has named Keshav Maharaj in their squad. He is the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in Test cricket this year and his presence will definitely boost the bowling unit of the team. However, he is still out of action because of his groin injury and might not be available for the 1st Test.

Test Stats - 2024	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Keshav Maharaj	7	35	19.2	2.76

Test Career Stats	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Keshav Maharaj	56	193	29.67	3.11

2) Mohammad Rizwan - Pakistan

The white-ball captain of Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan, has played exceptional cricket in 2024. He is the leading scorer for the team in the red-ball format and the opposition will keep an eye on him for the 1st Test. Once Rizwan gets settled on the pitch, it will get difficult for the opposition to get rid of him.

Test Stats - 2024	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Mohammad Rizwan	6	509	50.90	61.17

Test Career Stats	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Mohammad Rizwan	35	2009	41.85	54.56