Pakistan have announced an 18-member Test squad for the two-match South Africa series starting in October. The series marks the beginning of Pakistan’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign. Shaheen Afridi returns to the Test side after missing the West Indies series earlier this year. Shan Masood continues as captain and will lead the side in the upcoming red-ball challenge.
The selectors have opted to leave out fast bowler Naseem Shah. Senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan retain their places in the group. Selectors will confirm the final playing XI before the first Test in Lahore on October 12.
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The squad also features three players who could make their Test debut — Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, and Rohail Nazir — adding a fresh edge to Pakistan’s lineup as they prepare to face the reigning World Test Championship winners.
The two-match series begins at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, from October 12-16, followed by the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20-24. The squad will be narrowed down before the series starts, and Pakistan will announce their white-ball line-up later.
Pakistan’s 18-Member Squad for South Africa Tests
Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Series Schedule:
1st Test: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – October 12-16
2nd Test: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – October 20-24
Pakistan will hope to kick off their new Test cycle with a winning performance at home against a strong South African side.
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