LAHORE(National times)- Pakistan dominated the opening session of the first Test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, scoring 107-1 at Lunch on day one. After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Shan Masood opted to bat first in the opening fixture of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27, against the defending champions South Africa. The hosts made a shaky start as Abdullah Shafique (2) was trapped leg-before by Kagiso Rabada for 2 in the opening over, leaving Pakistan at 2-1. However, skipper Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq steadied the innings with a solid unbeaten 105-run partnership for the second wicket. At the lunch break, Imam-ul-Haq was batting on 59 not out, while Shan Masood remained unbeaten on 44. Pakistan have picked Sajid Khan and Noman Ali in their playing XI, while South Africa have opted for three spinners for the series opener. At the toss, Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his side aims to capitalise on home conditions in the series opener, while South Africa skipper Aiden Markram stated that his team is well-prepared, having experience playing in similar conditions. South Africa are touring Pakistan for series in all formats of the game. The first Test is being played from October 12 to 16 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, while the second Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: 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 Sajid Khan.
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Senuran Muthusamy Kyle Verreynne, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, and Simon Harmer.
Pakistan’s WTC 2025-27 fixtures
Each team plays six series (three home, three away), with each series lasting between two and five Test matches. At the end of the league stage, the top two teams advance to a final to determine the champion. Over the next two years, Pakistan will play 13 Test matches (including two against South Africa) in three home and as many away series. Pakistan will face Bangladesh for a two-match away series in March 2026, followed by two Tests in the West Indies in July. Pakistan will tour England for a three-Test series in August and September next, while the national team will host Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in November 2026. Pakistan will conclude its league stage with a two-match home series against New Zealand in March 2027.
