Sajid Khan clears fitness test, set to play Test against South Africa

Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan has been declared fit and will feature in the playing XI for the first ICC Test Championship match against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, starting tomorrow (Sunday).

The 32-year-old Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bowler cleared his fitness test just a day before the match, edging out left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who was in line for a potential Test debut.

Sajid Khan had been suffering from a viral fever earlier this week and was unable to participate in the team’s pre-match training sessions.

Given his uncertain fitness, the team management had considered fielding the experienced 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi alongside Nauman Ali.

However, Sajid’s successful return to full fitness has prompted selectors to retain him in the lineup.

The right-arm off-spinner has been a consistent performer for Pakistan in red-ball cricket, having taken 59 wickets in 12 Tests at an impressive average of 27.28.

His inclusion is expected to bolster Pakistan’s spin attack against South Africa’s batting lineup, which has traditionally struggled on turning tracks in the subcontinent.

Pakistan’s playing XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, and Sajid Khan.