Boxing Day Test: Babar Azam returns as Pakistan announces their playing XI for first Test against South Africa

Boxing Day Test: Babar Azam returns as Pakistan announces their playing XI for first Test against South Africa
Babar Azam and Shan Masood

Highlights:

Pakistan to feature with four pacers in first Test against South Africa.

Babar Azam to feature for Pakistan in Boxing Day Test against South Africa.

Pakistan have announced their playing XI for the first Test match against South Africa which will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26. Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has returned to the side as he was dropped from the team after the first Test against England in Multan in October. 

Kamran Ghulam who featured in place of Babar Azam in the England series also retained his spot in the team. The Men in Green made a bold decision as they have not added any spinner they will feature with four pacers. 

Pakistan who are already out of the contention of World Test Championship (WTC) final are coming after winning a 2-1 Test series against England. On the other hand, South Africa just needs to win one Test match to seal their berth for the WTC final which is scheduled to take place in England next year. 

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SuperSport Park Centurion weather

The pitch at SuperSport Park offers a bowling-friendly surface for red-ball cricket. As expected, early pictures show a green surface as the Centurion offers one of the best pace-friendly wickets in Test cricket. There has been heavy rainfall in Centurion two days before Boxing Day and there is a weather forecast for rain on Day 3. 

Pakistan playing XI for Boxing Day Test against South Africa

Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel (vc), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.