ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has retained six uncapped players in its squad of 17for today’s first Test against South Africa in Karachi.

Three rookie batsmen — Kamran Ghulam, Abdullah Shafique and Salman Ali Agha— will remain with the team, but the Pakistan Cricket Board said they willnot be considered for selection.

The selectors had initially announced 20 players for the two-Test seriesbut trimmed the squad to 17 for the first Test at the National Stadium.

The second Test will be played at Rawalpindi from February 8 and will befollowed by a three-match T20 series at Lahore from February 11-14.

The six uncapped players include opening batsman Imran Butt, middle-orderbatsman Saud Shakeel, spinners Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan and fast bowlersHaris Rauf and Tabish Khan.

“We know the home conditions and we have a chance here to play good cricketand win,” Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said during a virtual pressconference.

Pakistan has lost only two out of 44 Test matches played at the NationalStadium and one of those defeats came against South Africa when it lasttoured in 2007. England is the only other team that has won in Karachi whenit beat Pakistan by six wickets in 2000.

Opening batsman Abid Ali, captain Babar Azam and Azhar Ali all scoredcenturies against Sri Lanka in the last Test match here in December 2019when Pakistan won by 263 runs.

Misbah said Pakistan has to rectify its shortcomings in fielding to beatSouth Africa. Without the injured Babar, Pakistan lost a recent Test series2-0 in New Zealand when it dropped more than half a dozen catches.