Pakistan has finalized its playing eleven for the first Test match against South Africa, marking the start of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. The match will begin on Sunday at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, with Shan Masood captaining the side.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the team will field a mix of seven specialist batters, two fast bowlers, and two spinners. Off-spinner Sajid Khan was ruled out of the squad due to viral fever and has been replaced by left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who is set to make his Test debut at the age of 38. Afridi has taken 198 wickets in 57 first-class matches at an average of 25.49.
Veteran spinner Nauman Ali will join Afridi in the spin attack, bringing experience with 83 wickets in 19 Tests. In the pace department, Shaheen Shah Afridi returns to Test cricket after a one-year break and will share the new ball with Hasan Ali, who last played in January 2024 against Australia in Sydney.
The batting order will be anchored by openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, followed by Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Ali Agha will strengthen the middle order.
The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa is expected to draw strong local support, as both teams begin their journey toward the next World Test Championship final.
Pakistan’s Playing XI comprising of 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, and Asif Afridi.
