The second Test of the ICC Test Championship between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled to begin on Friday at Newlands, Cape Town.
After losing two wickets in the first Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion, the Pakistan team is expected to make just one change for the second Test.
Right-arm fast bowler Mir Hamza will replace fast bowler Aamir Jamal in the 11-member squad, sources said.
Jamal, who hails from Mianwali, took two important wickets in the first innings of the Centurion Test, dismissing South African captain Temba Bavuma and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
However, he was heavily criticized for bowling just one over in the second innings. According to reports, the team management decided to bring in left-arm fast bowler Hamza instead of Jamal in the second Test.
On the other hand, although the pitch is conducive to spinners, it seems unlikely that Pakistan will include a spinner in the playing XI.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who took 20 wickets at an average of 13.85 in two Tests against England in October 2024, is expected not to make the starting XI.
The team management is keen to include all-rounder Agha Salman as a spinner. Salman took 16 wickets at an average of 58.75 in 18 Test matches.
It is worth noting that the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa will start on Friday at Newlands in Cape Town.
In the recent three-match ODI series between the two teams, South Africa bowled out 248 runs in reply to Pakistan’s total of 329 runs in the second ODI. In that match, Salman got one point for his 71 runs in 10 overs.