Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket after nearly 17 months, as Pakistan take on South Africa in the first Test starting October 12 in Lahore.
With Aiden Markram leading the Proteas in Temba Bavuma’s absence, the series marks a fresh start for both teams in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Balanced Attack for Opening Test
Despite earlier discussions about fielding a spin-heavy attack, Pakistan has opted for a balanced combination of two pacers and two spinners for the opening match. Afridi will share the new ball with Khurrum Shahzad, while experienced spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan will handle the spin department.
The decision reflects a strategic shift after Pakistan’s earlier experiment with three specialist spinners against the West Indies at home, which ended in defeat.
Afridi’s Long-Awaited Comeback
Shaheen, now 25, last featured in a Test against England in May 2024. Since December 2023, he has played just four Tests and was left out of the playing XI after the opening match of the England series. He also missed the South Africa tour earlier this year and the home series against the West Indies.
His return brings much-needed firepower and experience to Pakistan’s pace attack.
Expected Pakistan XI for First Test
Although the playing XI hasn’t been officially announced, it is likely to be:
- Abdullah Shafique
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Shan Masood (C)
- Babar Azam
- Saud Shakeel
- Salman Ali Agha
- Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Khurrum Shahzad
- Noman Ali
- Sajid Khan
In a move to boost attendance, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free entry for several enclosures during the match — a first-of-its-kind initiative for Test cricket in the country.
Markram Leads South Africa in Bavuma’s Absence
South Africa will be without regular skipper Temba Bavuma, handing the captaincy to Aiden Markram, who scored a brilliant century in the WTC Final earlier this year. The visitors will look to carry their winning momentum from the previous cycle into this new chapter.
South Africa Squad for Pakistan Series:
Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Zubayr Hamza, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verrynne, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Senuran Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj (available for second Test).
A Crucial Series for Both Teams
The two-Test series will set the tone for both sides in the new WTC cycle. For Pakistan, it’s a chance to rebuild their red-ball dominance at home with Shaheen Shah Afridi back at the helm of the attack. For South Africa, it’s about asserting their position as WTC finalists and adapting without Bavuma.
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