Pakistan’s First Test Against South Africa: A Look At The Likely Playing XI

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Afshar Iqbal
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Pakistan’s first Test against South Africa begins tomorrow and so, here is a look at the likely playing eleven.

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17 Member Squad For Pakistan’s First Test Against South Africa

Pakistan’s Playing XI For The Johannesburg Test, PCB Greens & PCB Whites, Pakistan's First Test Against South Africa
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Pakistan’s squad for the opening encounter includes the following players.

Babar Azam (C), Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali , Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan.  

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Top Three

Abid Ali Babar Azam, Pakistan's First Test Against South Africa
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Pakistan are likely to allow opener Imran Butt a debut game and he then should open the innings with Abid Ali. Former skipper, Azhar Ali then is almost certain to bat at the important number three position.

Read: Hasan Ali And Mohd. Nawaz Likely To Play The First Test Against SA

Middle-order

Babar Azam's Fifty, Shoaib Malik Babar Azam, Pakistan's tour to New Zealand, Wasim Khan T20 world cup Babar Azam. Babar Azam's Fitness Second Test, Misbah-ul-Haq Babar Azam's injury Mohd. Amir, Pakistan's First Test Against South Africa
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Captain Babar Azam is all set to make a comeback following an injury and he then should bat at the number four position while Fawad Alam and Mohd. Rizwan should bat next in the middle-order.

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Bowlers

Hasan Ali and Mohd. Nawaz, Pakistan's First Test Against South Africa
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Pakistan are likely to allow another Test match to Faheem Ashraf who showed form during the Test matches in New Zealand. The all-rounder then should bat at the number seven position. Apart from Faheem, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi are likely to spearhead the fast bowling department.

Leg-spinner, Yasir Shah on the other hand is expected to lead the spin-bowling department and all-rounder Mohd. Nawaz or Nauman Ali are likely to assist him.

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So, What Should The Final Playing XI Look Like?

Mohd. Rizwan Azhar Ali, Pakistan's First Test Against South Africa
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The final playing XI then should include the following players.

Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohd. Rizwan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mohd. Nawaz/Nauman Ali, Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi.

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