LAHORE: Pakistan began their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign on Sunday, winning the toss and opting to bat first in the opening Test of the two-match series against defending champions South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
The South African side is touring Pakistan for a full-format series. The first Test is being played from October 12 to 16 in Lahore, followed by the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.
At the toss, Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his team aims to capitalize on home conditions in the series opener, while South Africa’s skipper Aiden Markram noted that his players are well-prepared, having previously played in similar conditions.
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 (wicketkeeper), Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.
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