As Pakistan gears up for the Boxing Day Test match against South Africa at Centurion, the team faces a significant challenge. They will play without a specialist spinner, opting instead for a bowler-heavy lineup that features the seam-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal. Jamal will be complemented in the bowling unit by Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, and Khurram Shahzad, establishing a pace-oriented attack designed to exploit the conditions at Centurion.
The performance of Abdullah Shafique has come under scrutiny, primarily due to a concerning dip in form across all formats. His struggles culminated in a troubling sequence of three consecutive ducks during the recent One Day International series. In light of this, Pakistan has decided to retain Kamran Ghulam in the lineup, while Shafique has been omitted. Furthermore, Babar Azam returns to the Test side after being dropped during the last two matches against England at home, and he is expected to slot into the batting order at No. 3. This adjustment shifts captain Shan Masood to the opening position, where he will partner with Saim Ayub.
The bowling attack for Pakistan sees the admirable return of Mohammad Abbas, who last donned the Test cap more than three years prior. Khurram Shahzad returns to international cricket after a protracted absence caused by a recurrent rib injury, which previously sidelined him after the first Test against Australia in Perth last December and again following the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in September. Naseem Shah was recently released from the squad during the home series against England, which results in Aamer Jamal being the sole bowler who also featured in Pakistan's most recent Test match.
The captain, Shan Masood, expressed confidence in Aamer Jamal's capabilities, emphasizing the team's commitment to him since the series against Australia. Jamal has been effective in both favorable and challenging conditions, showcasing his ability to adapt his bowling style to suit the match context. He has proved himself as a valuable asset with the bat as well and has produced noteworthy innings in high-pressure situations. This versatility is crucial; modern teams benefit from having allrounders in positions seven and eight, as these players can invoke balance in both batting and bowling departments.
Concerning Shafique, his recent form has led to his exclusion. For over a year, he has been unable to recapture the performance levels expected from him. Notably, his average has dropped to just over 15 in twelve innings across the longest format of the game, with more than half of his 174 runs coming from a single innings in Multan. This performance raised concerns about his consistency and reliability, prompting the selectors to make a change.
The final XI for Pakistan was announced only after South African captain Temba Bavuma disclosed his team's lineup a full day earlier. The decision-making process for Pakistan was complicated by weather considerations, with rain anticipated during parts of the Test match. The visitors deliberated whether to field a specialist spinner or maintain an all-pace bowling lineup. Ultimately, they determined that the pitch conditions at Centurion, widely regarded as particularly seam-friendly, made a spinner unnecessary at this juncture. However, potential options for spin still remain, with Agha Salman capable of off-spin and Saud Shakeel providing part-time left-arm spin.
In preparing for the clash, Captain Masood emphasized the importance of both batting and seam bowling for both teams. Both sides will enter the match with similar bowling strategies, relying heavily on their fast-bowling units. South Africa has opted for a balanced approach, featuring four seamers in their squad along with Corbin Bosch, who acts as an allrounder batting at No. 9. Given the anticipated pitch conditions, reliance on effective seam bowling from both lineups will be crucial to gaining an advantage throughout the match.
The Pakistan XI for the Boxing Day Test is as follows: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Abbas.
As the match approaches, anticipation mounts among fans eager to witness how the team executes its strategy without a specialist spinner. The conditions at Centurion are likely to favor the pace brigade, and both teams have prepared their strategies to exploit that fact. It remains to be seen how each side will adapt to the challenges ahead.