The second Test of the ICC Test Championship between Pakistan and South Africa will begin on Friday at Newlands, Cape Town.
After a two-wicket defeat in the first Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion, the Pakistan team is expected to make only one change for the second Test.
Sources said that right-arm fast bowler Mir Hamza will join the 11-member squad in place of left-arm fast bowler Amir Jamal.
Jamal, who hails from Mianwali, picked up two important wickets in the first innings of the Centurion Test, dismissing South African captain Temba Bauma and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
However, he faced severe criticism for bowling only one over in the second innings. According to reports, the team management has decided to replace Jamal with left-arm fast bowler Hamza for the second Test.
On the other hand, despite the pitch being favorable for spinners, Pakistan is unlikely to include a spinner in the playing XI.
Left-arm spinner Nouman Ali, who took 20 wickets at an average of 13.85 in two Tests against England in October 2024, may not make the playing XI.
The team management is keen to include all-rounder Agha Salman as a spinner. Salman has taken 16 wickets in 18 Test matches at an average of 58.75.
It should be noted that the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa will start from Friday at Newlands, Cape Town.
In the recent three ODI series between the two teams, the South African team was bowled out for 248 runs in response to Pakistan’s 329 runs in the second ODI. In this match, Salman got 1 wicket by giving 71 runs in 10 overs.