Pakistan’s red-ball campaign for the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle begins on a shaky note as the team prepares to host defending champions South Africa with minimal first-class match practice. The two-Test series, starting October 12 in Lahore, marks Pakistan’s first appearance in the format since January 2025—a gap that red-ball captain Shan Masood has publicly criticized as “unacceptable.”
The lack of match readiness stems from delays in the domestic Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which saw only one round of games played from October 6 to 9. Even those fixtures were heavily disrupted by unseasonal rain across the country, leaving most of Pakistan’s Test squad without meaningful red-ball exposure before the high-stakes series.
🏏 Pakistan vs South Africa Test Series Overview
| Fixture | Date | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Oct 12–16, 2025 | Lahore | Scheduled |
| 2nd Test | Oct 20–24, 2025 | Rawalpindi | Scheduled |
| 1st T20I | Oct 28, 2025 | Rawalpindi | Scheduled |
| 2nd T20I | Oct 31, 2025 | Lahore | Scheduled |
| 3rd T20I | Nov 1, 2025 | Lahore | Scheduled |
| ODI Series | Nov 5–10, 2025 | Faisalabad | Scheduled |
The series is a clash of extremes: South Africa enters as the previous WTC winners, while Pakistan finished last in the previous cycle. The home side’s lack of preparation has raised concerns about competitiveness and player readiness.
📉 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Disruption
| Round Played | Dates | Matches Completed | Rain Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Oct 6–9, 2025 | 4 | Severe |
| Round 2 | Cancelled | — | N/A |
| Test Players Involved | Only 2 (Masood, Shakeel) | — | Limited play |
Most of Pakistan’s Test squad was already in a training camp during the domestic round, further limiting their exposure to competitive red-ball cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has faced criticism for failing to align domestic schedules with international commitments.
🧠 Shan Masood’s Concerns and Leadership Role
Captain Shan Masood has been vocal about the scheduling gaps, emphasizing the need for consistent red-ball cricket to maintain standards. He has urged the PCB to prioritize Test match readiness and ensure that players are not thrown into international contests without adequate preparation.
Masood’s leadership will be tested against a South African side boasting pace depth, tactical discipline, and recent success in subcontinental conditions.
🧾 Pakistan’s Probable Test Squad vs South Africa
| Player Name | Role | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|
| Shan Masood | Captain, Batter | Played 1 FC match |
| Saud Shakeel | Batter | Played 1 FC match |
| Babar Azam | Batter | No red-ball games |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Batter | Training camp only |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed | Wicketkeeper | No FC match practice |
| Shaheen Afridi | Fast Bowler | Rested from FC games |
| Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler | Recovering from injury |
| Abrar Ahmed | Spinner | Training camp only |
| Mohammad Nawaz | All-rounder | Limited match time |
The squad’s lack of match fitness could be a decisive factor, especially against South Africa’s pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen.
🧭 South Africa’s Tour History in Pakistan
| Year | Series Result | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Pakistan won 2–0 | Babar Azam |
| 2007 | South Africa won 1–0 | Graeme Smith |
| 2003 | Drawn 1–1 | Inzamam-ul-Haq |
South Africa’s last tour in 2021 ended in a clean sweep for Pakistan, but the visitors are expected to be better prepared this time, having played a full domestic season and warm-up matches in Dubai.
🗣️ PCB’s Response and Future Plans
PCB COO Sumair Ahmed Syed acknowledged the scheduling challenges and promised better alignment in future cycles. He confirmed that the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will be expanded and rescheduled to ensure more red-ball exposure before major Test series.
The board is also considering hosting warm-up matches for international players within domestic tournaments to bridge the preparation gap.
Disclaimer
This news content is based on verified match schedules, player updates, and official statements as of October 11, 2025. It is intended for editorial use and public awareness. The information does not constitute betting advice, player endorsement, or selection prediction and adheres to ethical journalism standards.
