Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, who had opportunities to shine in the opening spots, may soon be replaced by the returning Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman. Despite showing flashes of talent, Ayub and Shafique have struggled to cement their places in the squad. Shafique's standout century during the Pakistan-England Test series earlier this year appeared to signal a promising trajectory, but his recent performance, including struggles in the current ODI series against Australia, has left room for doubt. Saim Ayub, meanwhile, has showcased potential in the domestic circuit, yet his international innings have seen only limited success, with three half-centuries in his last 10 outings, often falling short of substantial contributions.

With Pakistan's squad set to tour South Africa in December, both Imam and Fakhar's returns could inject new stability into the top order. Imam, a dependable figure in ODIs, averages nearly 50 over 72 matches and last played during the World Cup. Fakhar's anticipated return also follows a period away after a high-profile social media controversy earlier this year, which led to his omission from both the Australia series and Pakistan's central contract. This South African tour, which includes T20Is, ODIs, and Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, presents a new chapter for Pakistan as they balance consistency and squad evolution. Here's a quick look at the schedule: PAK vs SA T20I series

• 10 Dec - 1st T20I, Durban
• 13 Dec - 2nd T20I, Centurion
• 14 Dec - 3rd T20I, Johannesburg

ODI series

• 17 Dec - 1st ODI, Paarl
• 19 Dec - 2nd ODI, Cape Town
• 22 Dec - 3rd ODI, Johannesburg

Test series

• 26-30 Dec - 1st Test, Centurion
• 3-7 Jan - 2nd Test, Cape Town