Pakistan have included Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali in their playing XI, while South Africa have gone with three spinners for the series opener.
At the toss, Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his team plans to make the most of home conditions, while South Africa skipper Aiden Markram stated that his side is well-prepared and has experience playing in similar environments.
South Africa are touring Pakistan for a multi-format series. The first Test is being played from October 12 to 16 at the Gaddafi Stadium, while the second Test will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan.
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Verreynne, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.
Pakistan’s WTC 2025-27 Schedule
Under the new cycle, each team will play six Test series — three at home and three away — ranging between two and five matches each. The top two teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the final to decide the champion.
Over the next two years, Pakistan will feature in 13 Tests, including the two against South Africa.
The team will face Bangladesh in a two-Test away series in March 2026, followed by two Tests in the West Indies in July. Pakistan will then tour England for a three-match series in August and September 2026.
Later that year, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka for two Tests in November before concluding their WTC campaign with a home series against New Zealand in March 2027.
