LAHORE: Pakistan on Sunday trimmed their squad from 18 to 16 players for the forthcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, with fast bowler Aamir Jamal and uncapped left-arm spinner Faisal Akram omitted from the ongoing training camp here.

The national selectors had earlier named an 18-member squad for the series, which has now been finalised at 16. Among the retained players, four cricketers — Asif Afridi, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam and Rohail Nazir — were not offered central contracts for the 2025-26 season.

In a notable omission, experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas — Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in the last home series against South Africa — was left out of even the initial 18-man squad despite being awarded a category ‘D’ central contract.

Interestingly, pacers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr, both on the central contract list, were also not considered for selection. Aamir, however, was initially included in the larger squad despite missing out on a contract, before being dropped from the final 16.

Meanwhile, Test skipper Shan Masood retained a category ‘D’ contract following a dismal run that saw Pakistan lose nine of the 12 Tests under his leadership. This marks the first time a national Test captain has not been deemed fit for the now-abolished top-tier ‘A’ category — a move the PCB reportedly made after no player’s performances warranted inclusion in that elite bracket.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2025