Pakistan vs South Africa Test Series 2025 | Pakistan Test Squad | Analysis and Full Schedule | usman on cricket
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced Pakistan’s 18-member Test squad for the much-anticipated home Test series against South Africa, beginning 12 October 2025. The series will be part of the ICC World Test Championship (2025–27 cycle) and will also mark South Africa’s full tour of Pakistan, including 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is after the Test matches.
Led by Shan Masood, Pakistan’s squad features a balanced blend of experienced performers and exciting fresh talent. The selectors have placed emphasis on spin options to maximize home advantage while welcoming back pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi.
Pakistan Test Squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shan Masood (C) | Left-hand opening batter |
| Babar Azam | Right-hand top-order batter |
| Abdullah Shafique | Right-hand opening batter |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Left-hand opening batter |
| Saud Shakeel | Left-hand middle-order batter |
| Salman Ali Agha | Middle-order batter & part-time off-spinner |
| Kamran Ghulam | Middle-order batter |
| Muhammad Rizwan (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Rohail Nazir (wk) | Backup wicketkeeper-batter (uncapped) |
| Amir Jamal | Pace-bowling all-rounder |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Left-arm fast bowler |
| Khurram Shahzad | Right-arm fast bowler |
| Abrar Ahmad | Leg-spin bowler |
| Nouman Ali | Left-arm orthodox spinner |
| Asif Afridi | Left-arm spinner (uncapped) |
| Faisal Akram | Chinaman spinner (uncapped) |
| Sajid Khan | Off-spin bowler |
| Mohammad Haris | Middle-order batter (standby) |
Key Squad Notes
- Three Uncapped Players: Faisal Akram, Rohail Nazir, Asif Afridi bring fresh energy and could debut.
- Shaheen Afridi Returns: Back to lead the pace attack after missing earlier Tests due to injury.
- No Naseem Shah: A surprising omission; management cites fitness and workload concerns.
- Spin-Heavy Attack: Five frontline spinners to exploit subcontinent conditions.
- Batting Backbone: Babar Azam, Rizwan, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Agha will shoulder responsibility.
Test Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st Test | 12–16 October 2025 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 2nd Test | 20–24 October 2025 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
Strengths & Weaknesses
( Strengths )
- Home Advantage: Spin-friendly pitches and local support.
- Shaheen Afridi’s Return: A genuine wicket-taker with the new ball.
- Balanced Squad: Mix of experience (Babar, Rizwan) and youth (Akram, Nazir).
- Bowling Flexibility: Multiple spin combinations and pace variety.
( Weaknesses )
- Inexperienced Debutants: Pressure on uncapped players against a world-class side.
- Thin Pace Depth: Heavy reliance on Shaheen; no Naseem Shah.
- Batting Consistency Issues: Middle-order form remains uncertain.
- Over-reliance on Spin: Flat tracks could neutralize spinners’ impact.
Expectations & Series Outlook
- Pakistan’s Goal: Begin the WTC cycle with a strong home win, banking on spinners and top-order partnerships.
- South Africa’s Challenge: Adapt to subcontinent pitches without key player Temba Bavuma (injured).
- Key Battles:
- Pakistan spinners vs South Africa’s lower order.
- Openers Abdullah & Imam’s starts vs South African seamers.
- Uncapped Pakistan players’ performance under pressure.
- Likely Outcome: Pakistan slight favorites (1–0 possible). A 1–1 draw is also realistic given South Africa’s resilience.
South Africa Tour of Pakistan 2025 – Full Schedule
Test Series
- 1st Test: 12–16 October – Lahore
- 2nd Test: 20–24 October – Rawalpindi
ODI Series
- 1st ODI: 27 October – Karachi
- 2nd ODI: 30 October – Multan
- 3rd ODI: 2 November – Rawalpindi
T20I Series
- 1st T20I: 6 November – Lahore
- 2nd T20I: 8 November – Karachi
- 3rd T20I: 10 November – Rawalpindi
FAQs- pakistan vs south Africa series
Who is leading Pakistan in the Test series?
Shan Masood will captain the side.
Why is Naseem Shah missing?
He has been rested due to workload management and minor fitness concerns.
Which players are debut contenders?
Faisal Akram, Asif Afridi, and Rohail Nazir.
What comes after the Test series?
A 3-match ODI series followed by 3 T20Is.
Which players are expected to shine with the bat?
Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, and Rizwan are crucial.
What is South Africa’s biggest challenge?
Adjusting to turning wickets without Temba Bavuma.
How does this series affect the WTC?
Points from both Tests will directly impact the 2025–27 WTC standings.
conclusion
The Pakistan vs South Africa Test series promises to be a thrilling contest of spin versus pace, youth versus experience, and subcontinent resilience against African aggression. For Pakistan, it is a chance to kick off their WTC campaign strongly at home. For South Africa, it’s about proving adaptability and sustaining their world-class reputation.
Who’s your pick for this series – Pakistan or South Africa? Comment below and join the debate and stay tuned for more updates about this series on www.usmanoncricket.com !
