Pakistan is all set to kickstart its ICC World Test Championship WTC 2025-27 campaign with a two-match Test series against South Africa, beginning on Sunday, October 12, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This series also records the start of South Africa's all-format tour of Pakistan, which will feature three ODIs and three T20Is after the Tests.
South Africa will be touring Pakistan for the first time since 2021, which ended with the home team winning by a 2-0 margin. For Pakistan, it is their first red-ball outing since January. Shann Masood, who continues to lead the team, will rely on senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi to strike early in the WTC cycle.
On the other hand, defending WTC champions South Africa will be without full-time skipper Temba Bavuma, who has been ruled out due to a calf strain, with Aiden Markram set to lead in his absence. Spinner Keshav Maharaj will also miss the first Test.