Pakistan vs South Africa | 1st Test | Lahore | October 12-16 | Pre-Match Discussion

[The Bald Eagle]

The first Test match between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 12, 2025. The match will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Squads and Team News

Pakistan:
* Squad: Pakistan has announced an 18-member squad, which will be trimmed before the start of the first Test.
* Captaincy: Shan Masood will continue to lead the side.
* Key Returns: Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has returned to the Test squad after a year-long absence.
* Spin-Heavy Attack: Pakistan has included five spinners in the squad, a move that signals their intent to exploit home conditions.
* Uncapped Players: The squad includes three uncapped players: Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, and Rohail Nazir.
* Key Players: The team will be bolstered by the presence of experienced players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

South Africa:
* South Africa's squad for the Test series has not been widely announced yet, but they are the reigning ICC World Test Championship champions from 2023-25, which gives them a formidable reputation.
* They are known for a strong pace attack and a balanced batting lineup, which will be a key challenge for Pakistan on home soil.
Match Context and Expectations
* World Test Championship: This series marks the start of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle for both teams. A strong start is crucial for their long-term standings.
* Home Advantage: Pakistan will have the advantage of playing at home, with the pitch at Gaddafi Stadium expected to assist spin. This is a deliberate strategy by the home side, who have a strong spin attack.
* South Africa's Challenge: South Africa's pace battery will be a major threat, but their ability to handle Pakistan's spinners on a turning pitch will be the deciding factor.

This series is highly anticipated as it pits a Pakistan side with a point to prove at home against the reigning Test champions, South Africa. The battle between Pakistan's spin and South Africa's pace will be a fascinating contest to watch

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[harshjoshi87]

It will be interesting to see what kind of pitches Pakistan make with likes of Maharaj, Muthusamy, Harmer in South African side.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

It will be interesting to see what kind of pitches Pakistan make with likes of Maharaj, Muthusamy, Harmer in South African side.

It will be spin pitches that's the best way to beat sena teams.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Pakistan are favorites if pitch is spin-friendly.

Sajid Khan and Noman are good for those pitches.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It will be interesting to see what kind of pitches Pakistan make with likes of Maharaj, Muthusamy, Harmer in South African side.

Maharaj is only playing one test. Harmer is an experienced campaigner but someone who has not played for South Africa in quite some time. And Muthusamy is pretty rubbish. PCB should definitely prepare a spin-friendly pitch for the first test and try to catch South Africa off-guard. For the second test they can go flatter provided they win the first test.

 

[mango_bite77]

The should make a proper test cricket pitch, little bit spicy for fast bowlers on day 1, with becoming spin friendly as the game progresses. Cant see mine field in very first session on Day 1.

 

[Kianig89]

Will Pakistan go in self destruction mode with a lone seamer?

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Will Pakistan go in self destruction mode with a lone seamer?

As they should go with the weakness of sena teams which is turning ball don't provide them pace

 

[CricVet]

Balanced pitches provide the opportunity to create a balanced team. Keep hiding behind your comfort zone Pakistan in the name of your strength (spin), then keep getting disappointed in the world events and keep blaming xyz for the failures. The irony is, Pakistan batting is even worse against quality spin

 

[Bewal Express]

If we produce lottery wickets( a 6-8th day test wicket) and lose the toss, we could up getting hammered. Produce a good test wicket with slow turn and we should have a fair chance

 

[RyanRyan10]

Babar and Rizwan should dominate the series and ensure Pakistan wins 2-0

 

[Josh]

Babar and Rizwan should dominate the series and ensure Pakistan wins 2-0

Then PCB will select them for T20 based on test match performances

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

If we produce lottery wickets( a 6-8th day test wicket) and lose the toss, we could up getting hammered. Produce a good test wicket with slow turn and we should have a fair chance

Nah you should keep that in mind if ball turn from ball 1 even if south africa bat first they would hardly cross 100 runs rank turner for sena teams is a nightmare so pakistan with sajid and noman will eat this south african team just like how they did vs england.

 

[Justcrazy]

It will be interesting to see what kind of pitches Pakistan make with likes of Maharaj, Muthusamy, Harmer in South African side.

Maharaj not playing first test , and Pakistan have named several spinners that indicates it will be raging turner.

 

[Justcrazy]

Will Pakistan go in self destruction mode with a lone seamer?

If you play three frontline spinners plus Aga Salman , the spinners will be bowling 90 % of overs

 

[Devadwal]

Maharaj not playing first test , and Pakistan have named several spinners that indicates it will be raging turner.

Why ? What is the reason?

 

[Justcrazy]

Why ? What is the reason?

He is injured.

 

[hassan918]

Maharaj not playing first test , and Pakistan have named several spinners that indicates it will be raging turner.

It won't be a raging turner. Pitch is likely to suit the batters as it usually does at Gaddafi Stadium.

 

[harshjoshi87]

Maharaj is only playing one test. Harmer is an experienced campaigner but someone who has not played for South Africa in quite some time. And Muthusamy is pretty rubbish. PCB should definitely prepare a spin-friendly pitch for the first test and try to catch South Africa off-guard. For the second test they can go flatter provided they win the first test.

There is Prenelan Subrayen too, he has been cleared by the ICC. Harmer hasn't played that much but has tons of county experience. Muthusamy bowled decently against Australia in the limited over series.

 

[Buffet]

Likely to be a rank turner pitch. Hope to see a good contest.

 

[amvbfm]

I guess Pakistan will follow the template they have adopted of late and it will be a square turner. Expect the match to end in 3 days. If they go with 3 spinners it will be interesting to see who they pick. I feel Faisal Akram should get a chance over Asif Afridi and Abrar.

 

[mominsaigol]

Whoever bats first will win

 

[jnaveen1980]

Any signs of industrial fans? @Devadwal

 

[Devadwal]

Any signs of industrial fans? @Devadwal

Still 9 days left so we May see in couple of days . They must prepare spin friendly pitches to takes the advantage of home conditions.

 

[Justcrazy]

It won't be a raging turner. Pitch is likely to suit the batters as it usually does at Gaddafi Stadium.

It will be a mistake then. You need to prepare a turner , any other kind of surface will be advantage SA>

 

[Ball Blazer]

I am just waiting for Imam to replicate his recent performances to avoid being called Parchi

 

[Nasty Naz]

Looks like some of the players will be playing in the upcoming QeA match just days before the Test match starts to be prepared.

Just shows how stupid PCB is. If they had just started QeA on time, all of the players in the squad would have had the opportunity to get a couple of FC games in to be fully prepared. We always complain our main players don't play FC but then when the opportunity and availability is there for them to play, the tournament is delayed without any explanation or the FC games are so few, the tournament basically ends in a month. Who knows, if journalist didn't even raise questions about why QeA hasn't started, they probably don't even bother trying to make the tournament happen.

 

[Kianig89]

So Shan Masood ŕeady to lead , let's hope he turn a leaf and achieve something tangible, don't forget he is an awful awful captain

 

[sweep_shot]

A Test match finally.

I was getting tired of T20s.

Hopefully we will see a great Test.

Pakistan are favorites due to home advantage.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

So Shan Masood ŕeady to lead , let's hope he turn a leaf and achieve something tangible, don't forget he is an awful awful captain

Well he is atleast better than so called king babar who wanted flat tracks at any cost doesn't matter pakistan win or loose atleast shan is going for spin tracks exploiting sena teams weakness which is spin which babar could never do it.

 

[Rana]

So Shan Masood ŕeady to lead , let's hope he turn a leaf and achieve something tangible, don't forget he is an awful awful captain

Babar aur Rizwan se tou Lakh gunah behtar hai

 

[RyanRyan10]

Babar aur Rizwan se tou Lakh gunah behtar hai

Mr Purist forgot that the only home series Pakistan won in last 2 WTC cycles was when Babar got dropped

 

[gazza619]

Looking forward to the class of Babar, Saud & Rizwan.

 

[Josh]

This series will be competitive unlike WI vs Ind. PCB and CSA should have made it a 3 match series. Hopefully SA will give a tough time and won't get rolled over easily.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Might catch some of the action live on Day 2 or Day 3. Let's see.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Might catch some of the action live on Day 2 or Day 3. Let's see.

How do you see pakistan team with noman and sajid they will make pakistan really competitive

 

[ghalib kichlu]

Two inexperienced spinners added to the squad shows you what lies ahead
Maharaja will run riot over babar and saud

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Two inexperienced spinners added to the squad shows you what lies ahead
Maharaja will run riot over babar and saud

Maharaj not playing first test

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

How do you see pakistan team with noman and sajid they will make pakistan really competitive

They should take alot of wickets if pitches are according to the trend

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

1. Imam-ul-Haq
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Salman Agha
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Sajid Khan
9. Noman Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed/Khurram Shahzad

 

[Rana]

My Test XI

1. Sahibzada Farhan
2. Saim Ayub
3. Shan Masood
4. Salman Agha
5. Saud Shaqeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Aamer Jamal
8. Shaheen Afridi
9. Nauman Ali
10. Sajid Khan
11. Khurram Shahzad

This is the kind of side I would think will be decent going forward for away Tests too.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

1. Imam-ul-Haq
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Salman Agha
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Sajid Khan
9. Noman Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed/Khurram Shahzad

Open with Shan and have Kamran Ghulam in at 3. Imam will be Harmer's bunny.
Khurram should play ahead of Abrar and Pak shouldn't go overboard with making extreme turners or it could backfire like it did against WI.

 

[mominsaigol]

Open with Shan and have Kamran Ghulam in at 3. Imam will be Harmer's bunny.
Khurram should play ahead of Abrar and Pak shouldn't go overboard with making extreme turners or it could backfire like it did against WI.

Imam in recent times has lost weight and looks to be in better form at present.

 

[MenInG]

Lahore, 4 October 2025: Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle will officiate as match referee for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 matches and white-ball series between Pakistan and South Africa, scheduled from 12 October to 8 November.

The first Test will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 12 to 16 October. Australia’s Rodney Tucker, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires will serve as an on-field umpire alongside New Zealand’s Christopher Brown, who is part of the ICC Emerging Umpires Group.

Bangladesh’s Saikat Sharfuddoula, also from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will perform the duties of third umpire, while Pakistan’s Faisal Khan Afridi from the ICC International Panel of Umpires will act as fourth umpire.

For the second Test, to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 20 to 24 October, Christopher Brown will be joined by Saikat Sharfuddoula as on-field umpires, while Rodney Tucker will officiate as third umpire. Rashid Riaz, from the ICC International Panel of Umpires, will serve as fourth umpire.

In the first T20I on 28 October at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Muhammad Asif Yaqoob (ICC Emerging Umpires Group) will be joined by Rashid Riaz as on-field umpires, with Faisal Khan Afridi as third umpire and Tariq Rasheed as fourth umpire. The same team of officials will oversee the second T20I on 31 October at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

For the third T20I, to be played at the same venue on 1 November, Rashid Riaz and Faisal Khan Afridi will serve as on-field umpires, with Asif Yaqoob as third umpire and Tariq Rasheed as fourth umpire.

For the three ODIs at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, Saikat Sharfuddoula and Asif Yaqoob will officiate as on-field umpires for the first ODI on 4 November, while England’s Alex Wharf, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires will be third umpire, with Rashid Riaz as fourth umpire.

Alex Wharf and Ahsan Raza (both from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires) will officiate as on-field umpires together for the first time in the series during the second ODI. Saikat Sharfuddoula and Rashid Riaz will perform the duties of third and fourth umpires, respectively.

For the third and final ODI, Saikat Sharfuddoula and Faisal Khan Afridi will serve as on-field umpires, Alex Wharf will be third umpire, while Rashid Riaz will act as fourth umpire.

 

[hassan918]

1. Imam-ul-Haq
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Salman Agha
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Sajid Khan
9. Noman Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed/Khurram Shahzad

This looks a really good side and there is a good left right combination as well.

 

[gazza619]

My Test XI

1. Sahibzada Farhan
2. Saim Ayub
3. Shan Masood
4. Salman Agha
5. Saud Shaqeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Aamer Jamal
8. Shaheen Afridi
9. Nauman Ali
10. Sajid Khan
11. Khurram Shahzad

This is the kind of side I would think will be decent going forward for away Tests too.

Thread is about Pakistan v SA 1st test. Not Rana’s dream XI. Shocked to see Riz in there by the way. You don’t deserve him.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

If the two chachus are bowling with the new ball I ain't watching.

 

[hassan918]

STAY ON THE TOPIC GUYS.