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>