Pakistan Stick with Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq has been backed by the Pakistan Cricket Board to continue his role as captain against South Africa next month, despite the team’s poor recent results. The PCB confirmed they would not be changing their captain in the face of the team’s first loss to Zimbabwe in 15 years.

With only one win from five Tests this year, which came against Zimbabwe, Pakistan are now attempting to gain revenge after a 3-0 defeat in South Africa in February, but will come up against a South African side that is well-fancied in the latest cricket betting.

The two sides meet in two Tests this month, firstly in Abu Dhabi from October 14-18 and then in Dubai the following week. The first Test will be followed by a three-day Pakistan 'A' match against the Proteas, which will offer a number of players the chance to impress the selectors ahead of the Dubai game.

Pakistan named a 28-man squad that will head to a training camp in Lahore, retaining out-of-form Mohammad Hafeez but dropping left-arm pacer, Mohammad Irfan, and experienced openers, Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar.

Also named in the 28-man party are Khurrum Manzoor, Ahmed Shahzad, and uncapped Shan Masood, in a squad boasting a healthy mix of youth and experience.

Despite holding meetings with PCB chairman, Najam Sethi, the selectors did not recall all-rounders Shoaib Malik or Abdul Razzaq to the squad for the upcoming games against the Proteas.

According to the Betfair website, both players have been told they are only being considered for limited-overs cricket, but there could still be the chance for a return should either find the sort of consistent form they have struggled with for much of the past couple of years.