Pakistan Test Squad for Home Series against South Africa
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday revealed the national squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against South Africa, set to begin on October 12 in Lahore.
Shan Masood will remain at the helm as captain, while three fresh faces — Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, and Rohail Nazir — have earned their maiden call-ups.
This series carries added significance, as international cricket will make its long-awaited return to Faisalabad after a gap of 17 years. It will also mark the start of Pakistan’s journey in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship, with reigning champions South Africa visiting for the challenge.
The opening Test is scheduled for October 12–16 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, followed by the second Test from October 20–24 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. South Africa last played a Test series in Pakistan in January 2021, when they were defeated 2-0 by the hosts.
Following the red-ball fixtures, the two sides will clash in a three-match T20I series from October 28 to November 1. The first game will take place in Rawalpindi, while Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will host the remaining two contests.
The tour will conclude with a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8, all of which will be staged at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Pakistan Squad:
Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi
South Africa Tour of Pakistan – Schedule:
12–16 October: 1st Test – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
20–24 October: 2nd Test – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
28 October: 1st T20I – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
31 October: 2nd T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 November: 3rd T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
4 November: 1st ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
6 November: 2nd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
8 November: 3rd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
