The Pakistan vs South Africa Test series of 2025 marks the start of both sides’ campaign in the new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle. Scheduled to begin on October 12, the two-Test series sees the Proteas return to Pakistani shores for the first time since 2021. With WTC points and pride on the line, this series promises intense battles between spin and pace under subcontinental conditions.
Pakistan, under Shan Masood’s captaincy, bring a spin-strong home combination featuring Abrar Ahmed, Sajid Khan, and Asif Afridi (making a recall) to exploit turning tracks. Their batting hinges on returnees Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who must lead from the front. South Africa, missing captain Temba Bavuma due to a calf injury, are led by Aiden Markram and bring in Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy, and Prenelan Subrayen to bolster their spin stocks. Despite these changes, the Proteas will lean on their pace attack of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen to counter Pakistan’s strengths.
Schedule
1st Test – October 12–16, 2025
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Time: 10:30 AM IST / 10:00 AM Pakistan Time
2nd Test – October 20–24, 2025
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Live Streaming & Broadcast
In Pakistan, the series will be televised on A Sports / Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad / Tamasha apps. For South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, SuperSport holds broadcast rights.
Team Squads
Pakistan
Shan Masood (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Rohail Nazir, Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Khurram Shahzad, Asif Afridi, Hasan Ali, Noman Ali
South Africa
Aiden Markram (c), Zubayr Hamza, David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Prenelan Subrayen, Wiaan Mulder
Conclusion
As the series begins, Pakistan will aim to utilize spin-friendly conditions to their advantage, putting pressure on South Africa’s lesser-known spin options early. The return of Babar Azam and Rizwan strengthens their batting anchor, but consistency will be essential across all positions. On the visiting side, Markram must extract performance from his seamers and make the spin group count in Bavuma’s absence. With the WTC stakes high and both teams seeking momentum early in the cycle, this Test series is primed to deliver competitive contests, pivotal turning points, and narrative-defining performances.
