Lahore, Sunday: Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and decided to bat first in the first Test match against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan’s Team
Pakistan went into the match with two main spinners, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. Sajid, who recently recovered from a viral infection, was cleared to play. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali will lead the fast bowling attack.
South Africa’s Team
South Africa selected three spinners — Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy, and Prenelan Subrayen. Their pace attack will be led by Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder.
Series Details
The second and final Test of the series will be played in Rawalpindi starting October 20.
This match also begins Pakistan’s new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign. The team is hoping for a strong start after finishing last in the 2023–25 cycle. South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, are the current WTC champions, having beaten Australia in last year’s final at Lord’s.
🏏Pakistan vs South Africa 1st Test Toss Update 🪙
Pakistan win the toss and elect to bat first at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore 🏟️#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/APd3bGzzgC
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 12, 2025
Pitch and Conditions
The Gaddafi Stadium is hosting a Test match for the first time since March 2022, when Pakistan faced Australia. During South Africa’s last tour in 2021, Pakistan won the series 2–0.
Both captains expected the pitch to support spin bowlers, though there were earlier doubts about Sajid Khan’s fitness. However, he practiced with the team and was declared fit to play.
Captains’ Comments
Before the match, Shan Masood said that taking 20 wickets would be more important than scoring big runs.
“We don’t want flat pitches where matches end in draws,” he said.
On the other hand, Aiden Markram said his team was ready for the challenge of playing on spinning pitches.
“We know conditions will test us, but it’s an exciting opportunity to prove ourselves,” he added.
Playing XIs
🇵🇰 Playing XI for the VGOTEL Mobile Presents Bank Alfalah Test Series 2025 opener vs South Africa🏏#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/k2f3l1r7Bt
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 12, 2025
Pakistan
Shan Masood (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan
South Africa:
Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne
Umpires: Chris Brown (New Zealand) and Rod Tucker (Australia)
TV Umpire: Sharfuddoula Saikat (Bangladesh)
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)