Pakistan recalled fast bowler Mohammad Abbas after three years for test matches while Shaheen Shah Afridi will play only white-ball cricket in South Africa.

Pakistan recalled former skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday for the away Test series and white-ball matches against South Africa starting next week, but there was no place for spinner Sajid Khan.The 30-year-old star batsman Azam was dropped following defeat in the first Test against England in October and rested for the ongoing limited-over series against Zimbabwe.

Speedster Shaheen Afridi has been left out of Pakistan's squad for a two-test series in South Africa in a bid to keep him fresh for the Champions Trophy at home next year, the country's cricket board said on Wednesday.

The Pakistan men's selection committee has announced the squads for the upcoming South Africa tour, scheduled from 10 December to 7 January. The tour comprises three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday, December 4 named squads for the multi-format tour of South Africa. Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan were the notable omissions from the Test team as Pakistan picked as many as five pace-bowling options for two Test matches in the rainbow nation.

Shan Masood will captain Pakistan during the Test series with Mohammad Rizwan named skipper for the white-ball contests, while star batter Babar Azam is among a host of key players named in all three squads.

Former captain Babar Azam has been recalled to the Pakistan squad for Tests, ODIs and T20Is against South Africa after being rested for Zimbabwe series.