Babar Azam and Mohammad Abbas have been included in Pakistan’s playing XI for the first Test against South Africa on Thursday, with Pakistan opting for pacers over a regular spinner on the pace-friendly Centurion track.

Babar, who was dropped from the red-ball squad during Pakistan’s home series against England due to a lackluster performance, makes a return to the team.

Abbas, who last played for Pakistan in August 2021 against the West Indies, earns his spot after a stellar performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he claimed 31 wickets in five matches.

In addition to Babar and Abbas, fast bowler Khurram Shahzad has also returned to the squad after missing the home Test series against England due to injury. The team has dropped out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique, who failed to score in the recent ODI series, including three consecutive ducks.

The first Test against South Africa is expected to be highly competitive, following Pakistan’s historic 3-0 whitewash in the recent ODI series. The upcoming two-match Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship, is especially important for the hosts, as they can qualify for the final by winning just one match.

Pakistan XI: Shan Masood (Captain), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, and Mohammad Abbas.

South Africa XI: Temba Bavuma (Captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.