Babar Azam has been recalled to Pakistan’s Test squad ahead of the series against South Africa starting December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
The right-handed batsman, who has been out of the Test team since October 2024 due to a long spell of poor form, will replace out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafiq.
Babar, who is just three runs away from reaching the 4,000-run milestone in Test cricket, has struggled for consistency in the longest format since his last major score of 161 against New Zealand in December 2022. are
In the last 18 Test innings, he has scored just 366 runs, his best score during this period being 41 in the second innings against Australia in Melbourne, December 2023.
Sources confirmed that Babar will return to bat at number three in the line-up despite these odds. This is a significant development, as the Pakistan team management and selection committee have decided to include him in the squad for the first Test against South Africa after his impressive performance in the recent ODI series.
Babar scored 148 runs including two half-centuries in the series and showed the form needed to return to the Test team.
In another reshuffle, Abdullah Shafiq, who was out for zero in all three ODIs against South Africa, has been dropped from the squad.
According to media reports, Shaan Masood, who is currently batting at number three, will open the innings alongside young talent Saeem Ayub to fill the void.
Masood has plenty of experience in the opening position, having started his Test career as an opener. With 38 Test caps and a history of opening the innings in 46 of his 72 Test innings, Masood is once again fully equipped to take on the responsibility. He scored four centuries and five fifties as an opener.
The change in the team comes at a crucial time for Pakistan, who are looking to bounce back after a series of mixed results.