LAHORE: Pakistan will kick off their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign with a two-match home Test series against reigning champions South Africa, starting Sunday, 12 October, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The second Test will be held in Rawalpindi from 20 to 24 October.
This marks the first time since the WTC’s inception in 2019 that Pakistan will begin their WTC journey on home soil. Previous cycles started with away tours to Australia (2019-21), West Indies (2021-23), and Sri Lanka (2023-25).
Pakistan have played 30 Tests against South Africa, winning six and losing 17, with seven draws. In 13 Tests hosted in Pakistan and UAE, Pakistan have won four and drawn six. In WTC matchups, both teams have two wins each in four encounters.
Key performers include Babar Azam (315 runs), Mohammad Rizwan (283 runs), and Hasan Ali (12 wickets), all part of the 16-member squad.
Captain Shan Masood highlighted the significance of starting strong: “We have the perfect opposition. Playing the defending champions at home is a great chance to measure ourselves.”
South Africa captain Aiden Markram added: “We’re excited to begin the cycle in Pakistan. Adapting to local conditions will be key.”
The series will be followed by six white-ball matches from 28 October to 8 November.
**Pakistan Squad:** Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Rohail Nazir.
