Shan Masood: “We chose Mohammad Ali because of the surprise element we witnessed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL)”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has explained the reason why he previously picked pace bowler Mohammad Ali in the team, saying the 32-year-old possessed a “surprise element”.
He noted that Ali showcased it during the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he was the second-highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets in 12 matches for the Multan Sultans at an average of 18.63 and an economy rate of 8.23.
Considering how well the Sialkot native did in the PSL by consistently hitting the right lines and lengths, Masood conceded that he deserved another chance to play Test cricket after being dropped in 2022.
“We chose Mohammad Ali because of the surprise element we witnessed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL),” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Since making his Test comeback against Bangladesh in August 2024, Ali hasn’t represented Pakistan again.
He missed the T20Is series against Bangladesh in Lahore, the T20I tour of Bangladesh, the limited overs tour of the West Indies, and the T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan.
Ali was also ignored for the 2025 Asia Cup, where the men in green reached the final before losing to India.
Pakistan will soon host South Africa for a series consisting of two Tests, three T20Is, and three ODIs. Ali, however, missed out on selection for the Test squad.
The series between Pakistan and South Africa will be held from October 12 to November 8.
Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series: Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi