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The Pakistan cricket team will begin their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 journey at home for the first time since the competition started, facing the reigning champions South Africa in a two-game Test series that starts today (Sunday) at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.

The second Test will take place from October 20 to 24 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, followed by six white-ball matches, including three T20Is and three ODIs, from October 28 to November 8, as part of South Africa’s complete tour. This series signifies not only the start of Pakistan’s new WTC campaign but also a unique chance to face the top teams on their home ground. South Africa, who triumphed in the last WTC cycle (2023-25), are regarded as the standard-bearer in the longest format of the game.

Ahead of the opening Test, Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood highlighted the significance of beginning the series effectively. “Our primary objective is consistently to claim the Championship, but our immediate focus is to start strongly, particularly against the team that secured the last WTC,” he mentioned during an interview with PCB Digital. “Competing against them on home soil offers us a valuable opportunity to assess our performance. Historically, teams that perform well in their home Tests have reached the finals, and that is our aspiration as well,” Shan stated.

This marks the first instance in four WTC cycles where Pakistan will begin their campaign on home soil, representing a strategic change that may offer benefits. In prior cycles, they started their campaigns abroad: in Australia (2019-21), West Indies (2021-23), and Sri Lanka (2023-25). Historically, South Africa have held an edge over Pakistan in Test matches, securing 17 victories out of 30 games. However, when playing at home, including matches held in Pakistan and the UAE, the competition has been more evenly matched: Pakistan has won four, South Africa three, with six games ending in draws.

In head-to-head matches specific to the World Test Championship, both teams have secured two victories out of four encounters. The most recent visit by South Africa to Pakistan was in 2021, where the home team achieved a notable 2-0 series victory. Key Pakistani players include Babar Azam, who has accumulated 315 runs in four WTC Tests against South Africa, scoring four half-centuries. Mohammad Rizwan has amassed 283 runs, including a century, while Hasan Ali has taken 12 wickets in just two Tests against the Proteas. All three are part of the 16-player squad for this series.

South Africa, led by new red-ball captain Aiden Markram, see this series as an important test. “Winning Tests requires being strong in every aspect,” Markram mentioned. “Playing in Pakistan presents a unique challenge, quite different from conditions in South Africa, but it’s something we’re all eager to face.”

He mentioned that initial evaluation of the pitch and effective planning will be crucial for success. As the new World Test Championship cycle starts with significant stakes, everyone’s attention is focused on Lahore today, where Pakistan aim to show their determination against the defending champions, with the hope of reaching their first WTC final still very much alive.

PAKISTAN 16-PLAYER TEAM: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

SERIES SCHEDULE

October 12-16 First Test Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

October 20-24 Second Test at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi

October 28, 1st T20I at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi

October 31, 2nd T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Nov 1, 3rd T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

November 4 – 1st ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

November 6, 2nd One Day International, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

November 8, 3rd ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

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