Babar Azam led Pakistan to a 2-0 sweep over the Proteas in Rawalpindi on Monday in a hard-fought 95-run win on the fifth and final day of the second Test.
Pakistan handed Test caps to 34-year-old left-arm spinner Nauman Ali and 25-year-old opener Imran Butt in a combination of three pacers and two spinners.
Smarting from their 2-0 whitewash in New Zealand, Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-member squad for the matches in Karachi and Rawalpindi.
Obviously for a new player, it's a challenge to handle pressure and then there are insecurities in our culture around what if they are dropped.
Pakistan Captain had a full-fledge training session yesterday but felt slight pain in his thumb, following which, the team management has opted against taking any risk.
“The medical team is constantly reviewing his injury and we are hopeful he will be available for the home series against South Africa,” says team doctor.
New Zealand head to Auckland on Tuesday to begin preparations for three Twenty20 matches against Pakistan before a two-test series begins in Mt. Maunganui on Dec. 26.