The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today named an 18-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, which marks the start of their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign. Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, with the series set to commence on October 12.
Three uncapped players – all-rounder Asif Afridi, left-arm spinner Faisal Akram, and wicket-keeper Rohail Nazir – have been included in the preliminary squad. The selection committee confirmed that the squad will be further refined to a smaller group before the first Test.
South Africa, who were the champions of the previous ICC World Test Championship cycle (2023-25), will take on Pakistan in the first Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from October 12-16. The teams will then move to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for the second Test, scheduled from October 20-24.
Following the Test series, both nations will compete in three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs) between October 28 and November 8. The squads for these white-ball matches are expected to be announced at a later date.
This announcement comes as Pakistan looks to bounce back from a disappointing loss to arch-rivals India in the recently concluded Asia Cup final, a match reportedly affected by political tensions.
Players selected for the red-ball format will participate in a pre-series training camp starting today, led by red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood and National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches. Those who featured in the Asia Cup will join the camp on October 4, with training continuing until October 8.
The 18-player squad comprises: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, 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.
**South Africa Tour to Pakistan: Fixtures**
* **October 12-16:** First Test, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
* **October 20-24:** Second Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
* **October 28:** First T20I, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
* **October 31:** Second T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
* **November 1:** Third T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
* **November 4:** First ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
* **November 6:** Second ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
* **November 8:** Third ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
