South Africa test awaits as Pakistan begin WTC quest

After a disappointing ninth-place finish in the previous ICC World Test Championship cycle, Pakistan are eager to turn the tide as they launch their 2025–2027 campaign with a crucial two-match home Test series against reigning world champions South Africa.

South Africa clinched the last cycle’s title by defeating Australia in the final at Lord’s under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, who also played a pivotal role with the bat throughout the campaign.

The opening Test begins this Sunday at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore followed by the second Test at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi from October 20. The Proteas are set to arrive in Lahore tonight following a preparatory camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria.

With conditions expected to favor spin both teams have packed their squads with multiple spin options. Pakistan will be keen to exploit home advantage hoping to replicate their success from last year’s series against England where spin-friendly tracks turned the tide after an opening defeat. Spinners claimed 73 wickets in that series helping Pakistan seal a 2-1 comeback victory.

Pakistan's spin trio

The spin trio of Sajid Khan, Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed will be central to Pakistan’s plans. The team has been training intensely at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore under interim head coach and former Test all-rounder Azhar Mahmood. They also played a two-day intra-squad match at the Gaddafi Stadium as part of their final preparations which will be folded on Wednesday.

South Africa, meanwhile, will be without Bavuma, who is sidelined with a calf strain. Aiden Markram will lead the side in his absence. The visitors have also opted for a spin-heavy unit, featuring left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy and off-spinners Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen. Their premier spinner Keshav Maharaj will join the squad for the second Test in Rawalpindi.

Markram acknowledged the challenge of playing in turning conditions but remained optimistic.

“If it’s your home game, you can prepare whatever wicket you like. If the conditions are extreme like they were in the England series, it’ll be difficult for both batting units. We just have to accept what we get and back our players to get the job done,” he said.

He also spoke highly of South Africa’s diverse spin arsenal.

“Simon and Subrayen pose two completely different challenges. They operate at different paces, use different types of spin side spin, overspin which react differently off the pitch. That variety will be vital for us,” Markram added.

Bavuma’s absence is significant. In the last cycle, he was South Africa’s standout performer, scoring 711 runs in 13 innings at an average of 59.25, including two centuries and five half-centuries.

Historically, South Africa have had the upper hand in Test contests against Pakistan, winning 17 out of 30 matches. Pakistan have managed six victories while seven encounters ended in draws. In their last visit during the 2020–2021 season, South Africa lost both Tests on Pakistani soil.

The Test series will be officiated by an international panel. Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle will serve as the match referee across the Test and limited-overs fixtures scheduled from October 12 to November 8.

In the first Test, Australia’s Rodney Tucker (ICC Elite Panel) and New Zealand’s Christopher Brown (ICC Emerging Panel) will be the on-field umpires. Bangladesh’s Saikat Sharfuddoula (Elite Panel) will act as third umpire, with Pakistan’s Faisal Khan Afridi (International Panel) serving as the fourth umpire.

For the second Test in Rawalpindi, Christopher Brown and Saikat Sharfuddoula will take on-field duties while Rodney Tucker will be the third umpire. Rashid Riaz (International Panel) will serve as the fourth umpire.

Following the Test series, South Africa will also play three ODIs and three T20Is during their tour of Pakistan.

Pakistan have trimmed their squad to 16 players, releasing spinner Faisal Akram and all-rounder Aamer Jamal.

Pakistan squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi

South Africa squad:

Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne