Amir, Zaman join Pakistan for South Africa tour

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday the 16-man Test squad for the upcoming five-dayers against South Africa later in December.

The team, under the leadership of skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, would take on Proteas for the three-match Test series. Fast bowler Muhammad Amir has found his place in the 16-man squad, after he was dropped back in late September and was not part of Pakistan for the series against Australia and the ongoing New Zealand.

Amir will form Pakistan’s pace battery alongside fast bowler Muhammad Abbas and Hasan Ali. Meanwhile, Yasir Shah will perform the spin duties alongside leggie Shadab Khan, as off spinner Bill Asif is dropped.

In the batting department, Shan Masood has joined the ranks replacing Muhammad Hafeez, who announced his retirement from Test cricket during the ongoing third Test match against the New Zealand.

Earlier, South Africa announced its 13-man squad against Pakistan, picking uncapped Zubayr Hamza and Duanne Olivier in their side.

Pakistan Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (Capt/wk), Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Abbas, Hasan Ali and Muhammad Amir.

South Africa Squad: Faf du Plessis (Capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma , Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wk), Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn