1st Test Preview: Pakistan host South Africa in Lahore
What's the story
Pakistan will begin their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign with a two-match Test series against South Africa. The first match will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, starting on October 12. It must be noted that SA are the defending WTC champions, having tasted glory earlier this year. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be confident of beating them on home soil. Here is the preview for the series opener.
Match statistics
A look at Gaddafi Stadium pitch report
The Gaddafi Stadium has hosted 41 Tests so far, with 22 ending in draws due to flat batting decks. Teams batting second have enjoyed more success, winning 15 matches compared to just four for teams batting first. Despite its batting-friendly nature, bowlers have occasionally dominated, especially spinners and reverse-swing pacers during the final sessions of a Test match. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:30am (IST) and can be followed live on FanCode (app & website).
Team updates
Markram will lead SA in Bavuma's absence
Shan Masood, who continues to lead the team, will rely on senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi to make an early impact in this WTC cycle. Meanwhile, South Africa will be without their full-time skipper Temba Bavuma, who has been ruled out due to a calf strain. Aiden Markram will lead the team in his absence. Spinner Keshav Maharaj will also miss the first Test.
Past encounters
Here is the head-to-head record
Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other in 30 Test matches so far, as per ESPNcricinfo. Out of these, Pakistan have won six while South Africa have emerged victorious in 17. The remaining seven matches ended in a draw. Pakistan have three wins and two defeats against SA across nine Test matches at home. This will be South Africa's first tour of Pakistan since 2021, when the home team had won the series by a margin of 2-0.
XIs
Here are the probable XIs
Pakistan (Probable XI): Shan Masood (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Abrar Ahmed. South Africa (Probable XI): Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.
Key players
Who are the key performers?
Wiaan Mulder etched his name in cricket history with a 367*-run knock versus Zimbabwe, the last time he took the field in SA whites. Star SA pacer Kagiso Rabada has a bowling average of 25.27 in Tests in Asia (25 wickets). Babar Azam has scored 1,635 Test runs on Pakistan soil at an average of 52.74. Shaheen Afridi owns 16 Test wickets against SA at an average of 27.37.
Poll
Which bowler will come on top?
Poll