Asif Afridi awaits debut as Sajid Khan 'cleared' for first South Africa Test

LAHORE: Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi is still waiting for his Test debut after off-spinner Sajid Khan was cleared for the first game against South Africa on Sunday.

Afridi was included in the Pakistan team management’s plans for the first Test alongside left-arm spinner Noman Ali, following Khan’s absence from practice sessions due to a viral fever.

However, the team management decided to field Khan in the first game after he successfully passed his fitness test on Saturday, a day before the start of the first game at the Gaddafi Stadium.

In the fast-bowling department, Shaheen Shah Afridi is likely to make his return to the Test side after a year. The left-arm pacer has 116 wickets in 31 Tests and will share the new ball with Hasan Ali, who has 80 wickets in 24 Tests and last played a Test in January 2024 against Australia in Sydney.

Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq, who last represented Pakistan in the longest format of the game in December 2023, is also expected to make a return to the playing XI.

South Africa are touring Pakistan for series in all formats of the game. The first Test is scheduled from October 12 to 16 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, while the second Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.

Pakistan's likely playing XI for first Test

Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan.