Pakistan announced an 18 player squad for a two match home Test series against South Africa, starting on 12th October in Lahore.
Shan Masood to lead Pakistan in a thrilling Test series against South Africa
Shan Masood will continue as captain for the new World Test Championship cycle.
The selectors rewarded form and balance by adding three uncapped players. Left arm spinner Asif Afridi, left arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram, and wicketkeeper batter Rohail Nazir join the group.
The full squad includes Shan Masood, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam ul Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan as wicketkeeper, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir as wicketkeeper, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The coaching staff will focus on spin control and new ball discipline, given South Africa’s pace depth and Pakistan’s home conditions.
Historic tour schedule spans Lahore, Rawalpindi, and a long awaited Faisalabad return
The series opens at Gaddafi Stadium from 12 to 16 October.
The second Test follows at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 20 to 24 October.
The tour then shifts to T20 Internationals from 28 October to 1 November, with the first match in Rawalpindi and the next two in Lahore.
Finally, the one day internationals will run from 4 to 8 November at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
This will be the first international cricket in Faisalabad in 17 years, which adds clear significance for local fans and businesses.
South Africa last played Tests in Pakistan in January 2021, when they lost the series two nil.
World Test Championship cycle 2025-2027
This tour launches Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 to 2027.
The visitors arrive as defending champions in the format, which raises the competitive edge of the opening fixtures.
Pakistan will seek early points at home to set the tone for the cycle. After the Tests, the three T20Is will give both teams a chance to review combinations ahead of a busy international calendar.
The series will close with three ODIs in Faisalabad, where conditions often reward new ball accuracy and patient middle over batting.
With a fresh squad blend and a packed schedule, Pakistan enters a month that can shape momentum across formats.
Pakistan Test squad against South Africa
| Player | Role in squad |
|---|---|
| Shan Masood | Captain |
| Aamir Jamal | All-rounder |
| Abdullah Shafique | Batsman |
| Abrar Ahmed | Bowler |
| Asif Afridi | Left arm spinner, uncapped |
| Babar Azam | Batsman |
| Faisal Akram | Left arm wrist spinner, uncapped |
| Hasan Ali | Bowler |
| Imam ul Haq | Batsman |
| Kamran Ghulam | Batsman |
| Khurram Shahzad | Bowler |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Wicketkeeper batter |
| Noman Ali | Bowler |
| Rohail Nazir | Wicketkeeper batter, uncapped |
| Sajid Khan | Bowler |
| Salman Ali Agha | All-rounder |
| Saud Shakeel | Batsman |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Bowler |
Pakistan vs South Africa tour schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 16 October | Test-1 | Gaddafi Stadium | Lahore |
| 20 to 24 October | Test-2 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | Rawalpindi |
| 28 October | T20-1 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | Rawalpindi |
| 31 October | T20-2 | Gaddafi Stadium | Lahore |
| 1 November | T20-3 | Gaddafi Stadium | Lahore |
| 4 November | ODI-1 | Iqbal Stadium | Faisalabad |
| 6 November | ODI-2 | Iqbal Stadium | Faisalabad |
| 8 November | ODI-3 | Iqbal Stadium | Faisalabad |
