Aaqib Javed explains key player absences for Pakistan’s South Africa tour

Aaqib Javed, interim head coach for Pakistan's white-ball team and a member of the selection committee, has explained the reasons behind the exclusion of key players from Pakistan's squad for the upcoming series against South Africa.

In a detailed statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Javed discussed the squad selections and the rationale behind them.

One of the most notable omissions is Sajid Khan, who delivered exceptional performances in Pakistan's recent Test series against England, taking 19 wickets. Despite his impressive form, Javed highlighted that leaving him out was a tough decision due to the conditions in South Africa.

“Leaving out Sajid Khan, despite his stellar performances against England, was an extremely tough decision. However, considering the pace-friendly conditions at Centurion and Cape Town, we opted for Mohammad Abbas instead, who is an outstanding exponent of seam bowling,” Aqib explained.

The selector also addressed the absence of star players like Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman. Shaheen, in particular, was excluded from the Test squad, while Fakhar is still absent from the team due to ongoing fitness issues.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he has yet to regain form and match fitness,” he said.

Javed stressed that the squad selection aimed to ensure consistency in the ODI lineup, especially as Pakistan prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Our aim is to maintain consistency in ODI selections as part of our preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while also giving emerging talent opportunities in T20Is alongside experienced players. For Tests, we have focused on assembling a squad that can adapt to challenging conditions and consistently perform at the highest level,” Javed added.

Looking ahead to the Test series, Javed expressed confidence in Pakistan's ability to adapt to the tough South African conditions and remain competitive.

“The Test series against South Africa will be highly competitive, but we are confident in our team’s ability to secure a historic series win. Our focus in ODIs is to continue building momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy, while the T20I series offers a chance to blend experience with emerging talent,” Aqib concluded.