The 24-year-old, who made his international debut last year, has committed to the county until the end of 2021 season.
Cricket World Cup winner Archer was delighted to agree fresh terms.
"Sussex gave me my opportunity right at the beginning of my career, so I am very happy to commit long term to the club," said the paceman, who signed for Sussex in 2016.
Archer has 55 England wickets across all formats since making his breakthrough at the highest level but is currently sidelined with a low-grade stress fracture of his right elbow.
Bairstow enjoyed run-laden Test outings against New Zealand and India but was rested for the three-match T20I series against Rohit Sharma's side, who defeated England 2-1.
The Yorkshire batter kept his spot in the ODI squad for the series against India, which is finely poised at 1-1 ahead of the decider at Old Trafford, and will now feature again in the shortest format against South Africa.
England Test captain Stokes is another in action against India, but he has been omitted from the T20I squad to face South Africa in an effort to manage his workload and will also miss domestic limited-overs competition The Hundred.
Adil Rashid is back in both white-ball squads after missing the India clashes due to undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, while Potts is part of England's 15-man 50-over squad for the first time.
Potts impressed with his bowling in the five-day outings against India and New Zealand, and he will join Durham team-mates Stokes and Brydon Carse for the ODI series, which starts at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.
Reece Topley is another named in both squads after his 6-24 at Lord's on Thursday, taking England's record ODI bowling figures, and will hope to boost his hopes of featuring at the T20 World Cup in November.
Buttler's ODI side will head to Old Trafford and Headingley to conclude their three-match tussle against the Proteas, before the T20I series starts in Bristol on July 27.
Richard Gleeson is again included in the squad for the shortest format, having dismissed India trio Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant on his debut at Edgbaston.
Harry Brook is another who will look to stake his claim to take Eoin Morgan's spot in the T20I side's middle order, with the three-match T20I series heading to Cardiff on July 28 before concluding at the Ageas Bowl three days later.
England ODI squad: Buttler, Moeen Ali, Bairstow, Carse, Curran, Livingstone, Overton, Potts, Rashid, Root, Roy, Salt, Stokes, Topley, Willey.
England T20I squad: Buttler, Moeen Ali, Bairstow, Brook, Curran, Gleeson, Jordan, Livingstone, Malan, Rashid, Roy, Salt, Topley, Willey.
No sooner had Stokes succeeded Joe Root as Test skipper than Eoin Morgan was also out as England's great limited-overs leader, retiring from international cricket altogether.
New man Buttler does not find a team in need of an overhaul, as Stokes did in the longest format, but he will similarly be keen to make a fast start.
And India – fresh from being thrashed by Stokes' outfit – are fearsome first opponents.
England have not won any of their four prior T20I series against India, losing the past three in a row. In fact, India have lost only one in 14 against all opponents.
And as Morgan's final 20-over series saw a 3-2 defeat to West Indies, England under Buttler will be aiming to avoid back-to-back such losses for the first time since February 2017.
Buttler may well have his work cut out, too, with England resting their Test stars following a busy stretch while India will welcome their main men back for the second of three matches.
Rohit Sharma has tested negative for coronavirus and been cleared to lead the team from the outset, with Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant among those set to join him later on.
England's depth put to the test
Buttler has confirmed his desire for Stokes to be involved with the T20I team, but the Test captain has plenty on his plate right now and – just as Buttler ruled himself out of red-ball action for the foreseeable future – is missing for this series.
He is one of a number of notable absentees against an India side who could be at full strength by the second match and ramping up preparations for the T20 World Cup – a daunting prospect.
But this also provides an opportunity for Buttler to see what talent lies beneath those big names; Richard Gleeson is in for a debut, while Reece Topley impressed on his return to the set-up in the Caribbean.
Topley's bowling economy rate of 4.4 during the powerplay in that series represents the second-best of any player from a Test-playing country since the start of 2020 (Ajaz Patel – 3.1 for New Zealand).
Another entertaining encounter?
With Matthew Mott leading England's white-ball teams, there will be no 'Bazball' in this series, but Morgan's side were always similarly entertaining.
In fact, England (146.3) and India (145.9) have the best batting strike rates of all Test-playing countries in T20Is since the beginning of 2020.
The likes of Buttler and Pant – identified by Stokes as "someone who would fit very well in our team at the moment" – should ensure there are plenty of big scores even without Jonny Bairstow.
A high-scoring contest went down to the wire as the Proteas, chasing 205 to move into an unassailable 2-0 lead, needed three from the last ball - the same task England had failed to achieve in the opening game.
Once again, the bowling side managed to escape with the victory, Bjorn Fortuin only able to paddle a slower delivery from Curran to the hands of the back-pedalling Adil Rashid at short fine leg.
Having started the final over needing 15, Dwaine Pretorius followed up a six with a cover-driven four to reduce the equation to five off three.
A scampered two tipped the balance even further in favour of South Africa, yet Curran dismissed Pretorius lbw before deceiving new man Fortuin with a clever change of pace.
The finish was in keeping with an eventful game that ebbed and flowed throughout. England were indebted to a fast start and a devastating finish as they made 204-7, only for Quinton de Kock to produce a one-man onslaught during the powerplay.
South Africa's limited-overs captain had smashed eight sixes to make 65 from just 22 balls, the last of which saw him swing a high full toss from Mark Wood out to Ben Stokes on the deep midwicket boundary.
Temba Bavuma (31), David Miller (21) and Pretorius (25) made contributions and Rassie van der Dussen finished up unbeaten on 43, but the Proteas came up narrowly short.
England, meanwhile, live to fight another day, with the result setting up a winner-takes-all showdown at SuperSport Park on Sunday.
They had posted their sixth highest T20 total after being put into bat, despite losing the dangerous Jos Buttler for just two. Jason Roy followed up his knock of 70 on Wednesday with 40 at the top of the order, while Jonny Bairstow belted 35 from just 17 deliveries.
Yet it was Moeen Ali who played the crucial hand. Having arrived at the crease with the innings wobbling slightly at 125-5, he was the catalyst for a late blitz of boundaries that yielded 79 runs from the final five overs.
The all-rounder hit four sixes, including one extraordinary sliced drive over point from a Lungi Ngidi full toss, in an 11-ball knock of 39, while Stokes made his highest T20 score at international level as he finished on 47 not out.
There looked to be no doubt about the outcome when West Indies crumbled to 98-8 in pursuit of England's 171-8, but Akeal Hosein and Romario Shepherd both blazed innings of 44 not out to leave the home side just short on 170-8.
Hosein finished the match with three consecutive sixes off Saqib Mahmood, whose final over cost 28 runs as West Indies' chase ended in heroic failure.
After a nine-wicket battering on Saturday, England delivered a more competitive performance, with Reece Topley making a successful return to international cricket. For Topley, this was a first T20I appearance since facing South Africa in March 2016 and his brilliance had West Indies in immediate trouble at 6-2 in their reply to a solid England score.
After a relatively slow start, Jason Roy carted Fabian Allen for 24 runs from the 11th over as England began to pile on the runs. Roy top-scored with 45 before he was caught just inside the ropes at long-on by Kieron Polland off Shepherd, while Moeen Ali made a useful 31 and Chris Jordan flung the bat for 27 from 15 balls.
Topley then gave England a superb start with the ball, snaring Brandon King lbw with the second delivery of West Indies' reply before smartly running out Shai Hope.
Nicholas Pooran had been dropped twice before James Vince held an exemplary diving catch at deep midwicket to give Moeen the wicket of the dangerman for 24 in the eighth over, and West Indies imploded from there, or so it seemed.
Adil Rashid had Pollard and Darren Bravo pinned lbw, each time needing a review to get the decision, before Ali accounted for Jason Holder and Odean Smith in the 12th over, leaving the home side on 65-7.
Fabian Allen followed for 12 at the start of the 16th over, but then came the big flurry as West Indies, with two wickets remaining, got to the point where they needed 38 from the final two overs. Topley temporarily applied the brakes, but Mahmood was almost powerless to resist the big-hitting ninth-wicket pair, Shepherd making his runs from 28 balls and Hosein from just 16 deliveries.
A theme persists
West Indies have now alternated between victory and defeat in their last five men's T20I home matches. Their lower order gave England a headache in the closing overs, but recent history pointed to West Indies probably struggling to follow up their opening win. Indeed, the last time West Indies won their first two T20Is in a calendar year was in 2016, as they beat England and Sri Lanka in consecutive matches.
West Indies go down fighting
The hosts looked toast when they went seven down, but the lower order made England suffer horrendously, even as West Indies fell short of the victory target. The tourists' bowlers were seriously unsettled by the big hitting of Shepherd and Hosein, and there might be a lasting psychological impact caused by that pair, ahead of the third game in the five-match series on Wednesday.
The Leicestershire spinner was 18 years and 126 days old when he played against Pakistan in Karachi in December, taking seven wickets in the match as England completed a Test series clean sweep at the National Stadium.
He was left out of the squad heading to New Zealand for two Tests in February, but Ahmed will have the chance to make his debut in both short formats in March after being selected for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, which is followed by three T20I games.
England are World Cup holders in ODIs and T20Is, and Ahmed will be joined by a fellow uncapped player after Somerset batter Tom Abell was also included.
Lancashire paceman Saqib Mahmood features in the ODI squad as he returns to the England fold after recovering from a stress fracture of the back, while Jos Buttler captains the teams.
The series will see the teams play ODIs on March 1, 3 and 6, and T20Is on March 9, 12 and 14.
England ODI squad: Jos Buttler (captain), Tom Abell, Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
England T20I squad: Jos Buttler (captain), Tom Abell, Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Silverwood paid the price for a 4-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia when he was relieved of his duties early in February.
Joe Root then quit as Test captain before Rob Key was appointed as managing director of England men's cricket this month.
Key replaced Andrew Strauss, who took the role on an interim basis following the sacking of Ashley Giles in the wake of a nightmare tour Down Under.
Former England batter Key was expected to revert to different coaches for the red and white-ball sides and advertisements have now been posted for those roles.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) set a deadline of May 6 for applications, with the first interviews to take place on May 9 and 10.
Gary Kirsten, Simon Katich, Tom Moody are Graham Ford are among the names to be linked with the Test job.
England start their next Test against New Zealand on June 2 and begin an ODI series versus Netherlands on June 17.
England have not toured Pakistan since 2005 due to security concerns, but will return for a seven-match T20 series in September.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja confirmed last month that an England tour of the country was in the works, with ESPNcricinfo having reported that an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security team were to assess security arrangements.
The tour, which was originally set to be played in October 2021 but was cancelled after New Zealand withdrew from a series citing security issues, has now been confirmed. It will take place between September 20 and October 2, prior to the T20 World Cup, which is to be held in Australia.
England will then return to Pakistan for a three-match Test series in December.
Karachi will host the opening four T20s, taking place on September 20, 22, 23 and 25, with Lahore staging the final three, on September 28, 30 and October 2.
Zakir Khan, the PCB's director of international cricket, said: "We are absolutely delighted to confirm hosting England for seven T20Is in Karachi and Lahore as a curtain-raiser to a busy, entertaining and exciting season of home internationals.
"England [are] one of the top-ranked T20I teams and them playing the shortest format in the lead up to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Pakistan will not only help the team management to finalise their preparations, but will also set the tone for December's three-Test series.
"We demonstrated our event planning and operational skills in the highly successful series against Australia in March/April and I am confident we will be able to replicate these when England visit us for the first time since 2005."
ECB managing director of England men's cricket, Rob Key, added: "We have been liaising closely with the PCB over arrangements for this visit and the Tests later in the year, and will continue to work closely with the PCB, British High Commission and other relevant authorities as we continue to prepare for these tours."
Pakistan will also host New Zealand in December and January, as well as in April, with West Indies also set to tour the nation next year.
Concern over a rising number of cases of COVID-19 in the India camp caused the match to be called off on September 10.
Rather than being staged at Lancashire's home ground, however, the fixture has been switched to be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement: "The match, which was due to take place last month at Emirates Old Trafford, was called off when India were unable to field a team due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID-19 cases inside the camp.
"With India leading the series 2-1, the concluding fifth match will now take place from July 1, 2022, at Edgbaston, following an agreement between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)."
The ECB cited "complexities in the schedule" that meant Old Trafford could not host the rescheduled match, pointing to "clashes with pre-planned events at the venue, which will leave insufficient time to prepare a Test pitch".
Those events have not been specified; however, rock band Foo Fighters are due to play a concert at the cricket stadium on June 25.
Old Trafford will still get a Test match next year, with the second match of England's series against South Africa being switched from Edgbaston to the Manchester venue, with that match due to start on August 25.
The start of the planned T20I and ODI series between England and India has been set back by six days due to the Test being planted in the diary, and the T20I games will get under way on July 7 at the Ageas Bowl.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said of the fixture shake-up: "We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement with BCCI to creating a fitting end to what has been a brilliant series so far."
BCCI honorary secretary Mr Jay Shah said: "I am delighted that the England-India Test series will now have its rightful conclusion. The four Test matches were riveting, and we needed a fitting finale."
Morgan has become one of England's greatest leaders after being appointed in 2014, leading the side to a first World Cup triumph in the 50-over format with a dramatic victory over New Zealand in the 2019 final at Lord's.
The 35-year-old also took England to the T20 World Cup final in 2016 and the semi-finals five years later.
However, Morgan has struggled with the bat in recent months, twice falling without scoring in a 3-0 ODI series whitewash of the Netherlands last week before missing the final match of the series due to injury.
The left-handed batter has passed 50 just once in his past eight ODIs since scoring 106 against his country of birth Ireland in February 2020.
Morgan repeatedly suggested he would step down from his role if he felt he was not contributing with the bat and he confirmed on Tuesday that his international career is over.
"After careful deliberation and consideration, I am here to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect," Morgan said in a statement issued on the England and Wales Cricket Board's website.
"To call time on what has been without doubt the most enjoyable and rewarding chapter of my career hasn't been an easy decision, but I believe now is the right time to do so, both for me, personally, and for both England white-ball sides I have led to this point.
"I am hugely proud of what I have achieved as a player and captain, but the things I will cherish and remember the most are the memories I made with some of the greatest people I know along the way.
"I have been lucky enough to play in two World Cup winning teams, but I believe the future for England's white-ball teams is brighter than ever. We have more experience, more strength and more depth than ever before. I look forward to watching on with a huge level of excitement."
Rob Key, managing director of England men's cricket, added: "On behalf of the ECB and everyone involved in cricket, I'd like to thank Eoin Morgan for his outstanding contribution to the game.
"It will be wrong to think Eoin's legacy was just winning the World Cup in 2019; it is far greater than that.
"As with all great players and leaders, he has changed the way the game has been played, and he has changed the way an entire generation and generations to come will play this form of the game. His legacy within the game will be felt for many years to come.
"He is, without question, the best leader I have seen. I wish him well in the next chapter of his career."
Buttler stepped up in the absence of Morgan for the final ODI against Netherlands and is now expected to take the job on a permanent basis.
Wicketkeeper-batter faces a busy start to his reign, with Matthew Mott's side facing South Africa and India three-match T20I and ODI series during the next month.
England head to Australia for three T20Is in October before the T20 World Cup starts later in the month Down Under.
Morgan is expected to announce his retirement during a press conference at Lord's on Tuesday, with vice-captain Jos Buttler poised to replace him.
The 35-year-old batter has transformed the white-ball fortunes of England since his appointment in 2014, leading his side to World Cup glory with a dramatic win over New Zealand at Lord's in 2019.
Morgan also guided England to the T20 World Cup final in 2016, before reaching the semi-finals of the same competition five years later.
While England have become a huge force in limited-overs cricket during Morgan's tenure, the left-hander has struggled with the bat in recent times.
England completed an ODI series sweep over Netherlands last week – extending their winning run to eight matches in the 50-over format – but Morgan failed to score in two matches before missing the final clash due to injury.
The Dublin-born Morgan has passed 50 just once in his past eight ODI innings since scoring 106 against Ireland in February 2020, and had vowed to step down when he felt he could no longer contribute.
England face India in a three-match T20I series starting on July 7 and are set to do so without their all-time leading run scorer in T20I and ODI cricket.
Morgan has scored 7,701 ODI runs and 2,458 runs in the shortest format at international level. His 248 ODIs and 115 T20s are also England records for appearances.
A brilliant leader and destructive batter, Morgan made his international debut for Ireland back in 2006 before committing to play for England. He played 16 Tests between 2010 and 2012.
Matthew Mott will expect England to continue playing the aggressive brand of cricket that Morgan instilled as his side go in search of T20 World Cup glory in Australia later this year.
They will then head to India next year attempting to defend their world title in the 50-over format.
All-rounder Stokes took an "indefinite break from all cricket" in July for his mental wellbeing and to also allow an injured index finger to fully heal.
Stokes last played for England in a three-match one-day series against Pakistan in July.
His team-mates, including Test captain Joe Root and limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan, spoke out to support Stokes' decision to take a break.
The 30-year-old has been a key performer for England in all formats of the game and inspired them to the 50-over World Cup in 2019.
England head coach Chris Silverwood, who has not yet talked to Stokes, will name his squad for the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
"We are going to leave that one late, to give it our best chance," Silverwood said.
"I want to give him as much space as possible but there are people talking to him outside of me and it is something we will be revisiting shortly.
"I haven't spoken to him as yet. But I will not be putting pressure on him, will not be rushing him and whatever support he needs he will get.
"First and foremost my only concern is for him and make sure he's okay. That's the starting point I will be at and the rest of the questions will come.
"I need to make sure he is okay and that is my primary concern."
England's first game of the T20 World Cup, staged in United Arab Emirates and Oman, is against West Indies on October 23.
Eoin Morgan's side were scheduled to arrive in India at the end of next month for three ODIs and as many Twenty20 Internationals.
Those two series will now take place in 2021 after the T20 World Cup in Australia was postponed and the Indian Premier League was rescheduled to start in September.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are in consultation over revised dates for the tour.
ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said: "Now that we have clarity regarding the postponement of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, it enables us to work with other boards to progress the vital task of optimising the international schedules in the challenging circumstances that we have all been having to address with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"International cricket between India and England is a highlight of the cricketing calendar and we look forward to working with the BCCI to firm-up the schedules for these eagerly anticipated tours as soon as possible."
Jay Shah, honorary secretary of the BCCI, said: "The BCCI and ECB are working closely to finalise the schedule as we move towards the resumption of cricket.
"The India-England series is one of the most anticipated contests in world cricket. The two teams compete hard on the field and provide some riveting moments.
"I am pleased with the way BCCI and ECB have managed the situation. The rescheduled tour is also being redesigned in a way to accommodate both red and white-ball formats and will now be a comprehensive one."
CSA has been in turmoil for much of the past year, with chief executive Thabang Moroe suspended last December while president Chris Nenzani resigned in August.
A report into governance failures at CSA prompted South Africa's sports minister Nathi Mthethwa to call for board members to step aside, although that suggestion was initially dismissed.
But ahead of a looming deadline set by Mthethwa, who demanded action, the departures of various board members were confirmed over the course of the weekend.
Monday brought news that all members had now agreed to resign.
Government interference would put CSA at risk of International Cricket Council sanctions.
CSA said in a statement: "Following the members' council meeting held yesterday, 25 October, 2020, the members' council received and accepted resignations from board members.
"After the members' council had deliberated and resolved that, in order to best serve the interest of cricket in South Africa, the entire board should resign, they did.
"All independent and non-independent directors have now resigned.
"The members' council thanks every member who diligently served on the board and selflessly sacrificed their time for extended and often overwhelming periods to assist Cricket South Africa.
"The members' council appreciates their commitment to cricket and, despite the turbulent economic climate, CSA, under their leadership, received an unqualified audit for the financial year ending 30 April 2020.
"The council wishes them well in their future endeavours."
Zola Thamae, John Mogodi and Donovan May will remain as directors until the interim board structure has been appointed to ensure the continuity and stability of the organisation.
Du Plessis, 36, made the announcement via social media, writing that "my heart is clear and the time is right to walk into a new chapter" after 69 Tests for the Proteas.
The right-handed batsman had made 199 for South Africa against Sri Lanka less than two months ago but pressure had been mounting on his place in the Test side in recent years and that was not helped by a lean recent tour of Pakistan.
"It has been a year of refinement in the fire for us all," Du Plessis wrote. "Uncertain were the times, but they brought clarity for me in many respects.
"My heart is clear and the time is right to walk into a new chapter. It has been an honour to play for my country in all the formats of the game, but the time has come for me to retire from Test cricket.
"If someone had told me 15 years ago, that I would play 69 Test matches for South Africa and captain the side, I wouldn't have believed them. I stand in a place of utmost gratitude for a Test career full of blessings bestowed on me."
Du Plessis, who captained the Proteas at Test level from 2016 to early 2020, finishes his international red-ball career with 4,163 runs at an average of 40.02 with 10 centuries. His 199 against Sri Lanka in December will finish as his highest Test score.
The Pretoria-born batsman added that he intends to continue playing internationally in the shortest format, with T20 World Cups coming up in October-November in India and next year during the same period in Australia.
Du Plessis played all three T20 internationals against England in November and December, making two half-centuries in the series defeat.
He also played for the Chennai Super Kings during the 2020 Indian Premier League, finishing the season as the side's top scorer with 449 runs at 40.81 with a strike rate above 140.
"The next two years are ICC T20 World Cup years," Du Plessis added. "Because of this, my focus is shifting to this format and I want to play as much of it as possible around the world so that I can be the best player I can possibly be.
"I strongly believe that I have a lot to offer to the Proteas in this format. This does not mean that ODI cricket is no longer in the plans. I'm just making T20 cricket the priority in the short-term.
"I will be in conversation with CSA over the next couple of months on what the future might look like for me over the next year to find a solution that works for both of us."
Pandya has stepped in as captain for the two-match Twenty20 International series as Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer instead focus on the rearranged Test against England.
There is an opportunity for the 28-year-old all-rounder to impress across two matches India will expect to dominate, having won each of their three prior T20Is against Ireland. Against no team do India have a better 100 per cent winning rate (also three matches versus Afghanistan).
Pandya was captain of Gujarat Titans in the 2022 Indian Premier League, leading the franchise to the title in their debut season.
And former India opener WV Raman, who also coached the women's team, is looking forward to seeing Pandya in a leadership role at international level for the first time when the series begins on Sunday.
"There will be excitement in this series because Hardik Pandya is becoming the new captain of the Indian team," Raman told News24 Sports.
"The way he captained an IPL team raises everyone's expectations. His habit of taking responsibility was the best thing I found in the IPL.
"The expectation is that he will continue in the same way, will motivate everyone nicely."
Indeed, this could even be considered an audition for Pandya to take on the role over a longer period.
Raman added: "He did good captaincy for an IPL franchise, but you will have to see how he leads the Indian team, because here there is a selection committee.
"We will have to see what is their convictions, ideas and views after seeing his captaincy, so that they can make a decision based on that."
Opportunity knocks
Ireland have lost their past two T20Is against Test-playing sides, while India are on a three-match winning run away from home, so there may be the opportunity for the tourists to take a look at some of the fringe members of their squad.
Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh were both called up for the recently finished South Africa series, but neither made an appearance as India stuck with their first-choice bowling attack, having fallen 2-0 behind.
Although that decision paid off, as they recovered to draw 2-2, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (45) and Avesh Khan (45) bowling more dot balls than any other players, Malik and Arshdeep will hope they are rewarded now for their patience.
Batters old and new
Rahul Tripathi is the latest player to be given a first call-up and will hope to impress with the bat, as he did during the IPL, scoring 413 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
But Dinesh Karthik, the 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, is also in line for a key role once more.
The veteran had not played for his country since 2019 ahead of the South Africa series, but he scored a boundary once every 3.9 balls against the Proteas – a leading rate – and appears likely to deputise for Pant with the gloves while again showing off his batting talents ahead of the World Cup.
The Proteas slumped from 109-2 to 144 all out amid a display of artless batsmanship to set Pakistan just a modest victory target, yet the chasing side almost threw away the match with an implosion of their own.
Eventually they won by three wickets with one ball to spare, Fakhar Zaman smashing 60 from 34 balls and Mohammad Nawaz clinching victory with a six when just two runs were required.
Babar Azam's century had spurred Pakistan to a nine-wicket win in the third game of this four-match series, but where that contest, also at Centurion, was a run-fest, with both teams topping 200, this time South Africa were masters of their own downfall.
Aiden Markram came into the match behind three successive T20 fifties, attempting to be only the third player, after Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle, to make four in a row.
He was the first batsman to be dismissed, however, lbw to Nawaz, and although Janneman Malan (33) and Rassie van der Dussen (52) then put on 57 for the second wicket, there was little other resistance to be found among the South Africa batsmen.
Faheem Ashraf tormented the top order for figures of 3-17 in four overs, while Hasan Ali rebounded well from being carted for 29 in his opening two overs, finishing with 3-40.
In Pakistan's reply, Fakhar came to the crease after Mohammad Rizwan slumped to a first-over stumping, and the left-hander soon set about the home attack, crunching five fours and four sixes before being caught as a wild swipe at Lizaad Williams sent the ball skywards.
His departure triggered the second heavy flurry of wickets in the match, Pakistan sliding from 92-1 to 129-7, needing someone to find some composure.
Nawaz was that man, first punishing Sisanda Magala for delivering two consecutive no-balls in the penultimate over, flogging his second free hit over the ropes. In a nervy final over, Nawaz (25 not out) picked off Williams from the fifth ball, pulling square over the boundary for the winning runs.
Chaos reigns
A contest littered with chaotic cricket was perhaps best summed up by the first delivery of the ninth over in Pakistan's reply. Tabraiz Shamsi's delivery was short, sat up and called for severe punishment. Even so, Fakhar looked sure to miss out on a boundary as George Linde moved to sweep up inside the boundary. Yet Linde inexplicably failed to get his body in the way of the ball. Really rather poor all round.
Hasan heroic
While Faheem and Haris Rauf (2-18) kept it supremely tight throughout their spells, the same could not be said for Hasan, who came in for some brutal early treatment. It takes sporting courage and skill to rebound from two horror overs, and he demonstrated such attributes by taking three wickets in his next two sets of six, including that of Magala from his final delivery.
Batter Fakhar was selected on Friday, as leg spinner Qadir has not yet recovered from the hairline fracture on his right thumb that he suffered during the recent series defeat to England.
Qadir will be a travelling reserve along with Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani.
Fakhar will arrive in Brisbane from London on Saturday along with fit-again paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi and will be available for selection in the warm-up matches against England next Monday and Afghanistan two days later.
The 31-year-old left-hander was out first ball in his last T20I appearance, a defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final just over a month ago.
He has played for his country 71 times in the shortest format, scoring 1,349 runs at an average of 21.75.
Pakistan start their quest to win the World Cup by taking on arch-rivals India at the MCG on October 23.
Pakistan T20 World Cup squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood.
Batsman Fakhar was named in a 35-man squad for three Twenty20 Internationals and two Tests against the Black Caps.
The 30-year-old opener tested negative for coronavirus but is not deemed to be well enough to fly out of Lahore with his team-mates on Monday.
Pakistan doctor Sohail Saleem said: "Fakhar's covid test report was received on Saturday which came out negative but today he picked up fever.
"As soon as his condition was reported, he was isolated from the rest of the squad in the team hotel. We are constantly monitoring his condition and remain hopeful of his quick recovery; however he is not fit to travel with the squad and as such has been withdrawn from the touring party."
Pakistan and New Zealand start the T20 series at Eden Park on December 18.
Shami recently revealed during an Instagram live chat with team-mate Rohit Sharma that he thought about ending his life three times a few years ago.
The 29-year-old was tormented by personal problems and was also suffering from a knee injury, but has been able to come through some dark days.
Shami had company 24 hours a day during such difficult times and is grateful for the support his family provided.
"Depression is a problem that needs attention. It was unfortunate to see such a brilliant actor like Sushant Singh Rajput lose his life," Shami told the Hindustan Times.
"He was a friend and I wish I could talk to him had I known about his mental condition. In my case, my family pulled me out of that low phase.
"They took care of me and made me realise that I needed to fight back. There were times I felt suicidal but my family ensured I was never alone.
"Someone or the other would always be around, talking to me. Spirituality also helps you seek answers. Talking to your close ones or counselling is the best way out."
Shami says his international team-mates also played a part in helping him through a tough period in his life.
"Mental pressure definitely interferes in your physical wellbeing. At the same time, if you seek help from others and talk about it, you can get rid of such issues off the field," he added.
"I was lucky to have the team's support staff along with Virat Kohli and other players backing me. We are like a family.
"My team-mates always insisted I vent my anger and frustration out on the field. I am happy that phase is over."
