RAWALPINDI: Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa in second Test of the two-match series, part of the ICC Test Championship 2025-27, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium today.
As per details, the green team made one change as 38-year-old Asif Afridi replaced pacer Hasan Ali to make his debut for Pakistan, while South Africa brought Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj in their playing XI.
The two-Test match series will be followed by three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and as many One Day Internationals (ODIs) to be played from October 28 to November 8. The squad for the white-ball series will be announced in due course.
It is pertinent to mention that announced free entry for all fans at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for the second Test match between Pakistan and South Africa, giving cricket lovers a major reason to celebrate.
Ahead of the match, head coach Azhar Mahmood said it is a great opportunity to win a series against the Test champions.
He noted that the Lahore pitch offered a fair contest for both batters and bowlers and added that the final XI for the Rawalpindi Test will be decided before the toss.
South African captain Aiden Markram said playing in such conditions is always challenging. He acknowledged that Pakistan’s spinners Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan will again be a major challenge in Rawalpindi. He also confirmed that Keshav Maharaj is fit and will be part of the playing XI.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Asif Afridi.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada.
