Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood featured in an unbroken half-century partnership to take Pakistan to 95 for one wicket in 30 overs at lunch on the first day of the second test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

 

Skipper Masood had earlier struck the first blow when he won the toss for the second time in the series and chosen to bat first on a dry, abrasive surface that is expected to deteriorate as the game continues.

South Africa could claim a little bad luck but also some responsibility for Pakistan’s strong start. Tristan Stubbs dropped Shafique off the third ball of the match, the opener edging Kagiso Rabada low but straight to third slip where the fielder dropped a regulation catch.

Shafique doubled up on his luck in the sixth over, delivered by Marco Jansen – who replaced Wiaan Mulder – the ball just nicking the outside of the right-hander’s off-stump without disturbing the bails. The opener’s third bit of good fortune occurred when he drove Keshav Maharaj – in for Prenelan Subrayen – uppishly to the spinner’s left, the ball brushing his hands as he dived.

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏 | 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡

Pakistan's batting unit are going steady at the crease 🇵🇰🇿🇦

📺 Stream #PAKvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/SHPWI06wOh

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 20, 2025

South Africa’s high point of the session came when offspinner Simon Harmer, in his opening over, bowled the perfect delivery to Imam-ul-Haq, the ball pitching on the left-hander’s leg stump and clipping the off. That was, however, one of the few deliveries to deviate from the straight on a pitch that – initially at least – looked better for batting than the strip at Lahore last week.

Skipper Masood, who came in with the score on 35 in the 13th over, took 15 balls to get off the mark but then showed good aggression, twice driving Harmer for sixes over long on and then doing the same to left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy.

There was one further fright for Pakistan in the 24th over when Shafique was given out leg before to Maharaj, but replays showed that the ball had hit his bat, not his pad, so the umpire's decision was overturned.

Shafique battled through after his scratchy start, reaching 37 in 82 balls at the break while Masood was more positive, striking a four and three sixes in his 38 off 63 balls. The pair had added 60 off 105 balls at lunch.

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PAKISTAN: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Asif Afridi

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada

South Africa have been boosted by the return of leading spinner Keshav Maharaj to the team for the second test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi as they seek to level the series, captain Aiden Markram said on Sunday.

Maharaj, 35, was recovering from a groin injury and missed the first test in Lahore, which Pakistan won by 93 runs.

"Obviously, it’s great to have him back in the camp,” Markram told a press conference on Sunday, ahead of Monday’s start of the second test.

“He brings lots of experience and a really good skill set as well, so we're looking forward to this game starting tomorrow, which is an opportunity for us to level the series, but also to keep improving in these conditions and fixing some of the stuff that we feel needs fixing from the first game."

Maharaj’s 203 wickets in 59 tests make him South Africa’s most successful spin bowler.

The clash in Lahore was dominated by the spinners on a slow turning surface, and Markram is expecting the same from the pitch at Rawalpindi.

"We're expecting it to spin. We've expected those types of conditions from day one, and it's about us having done some homework post the first test and coming up with new plans to hopefully counter that and give ourselves a chance of succeeding in these conditions.

"I suppose when you get to spinning conditions, the guessing game is always how long until it really starts to spin exaggeratedly," Markram said.

South Africa had three spinners in their line-up last week, and Maharaj’s return is likely to lead to Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy or Prenelan Subrayen being dropped.

Pakistan’s victory in Lahore ended a 10-match winning streak in test cricket for South Africa.

Shaheen Afridi claimed three of the last four wickets to help dismiss South Africa for 183 in their second innings and bowl Pakistan to a 93-run victory an hour after lunch on the fourth day of the first test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

South Africa took lunch on 137-6 with all realistic hopes of chasing 277 for victory having disappeared in the morning session and the tall left-arm fast bowler made sure of victory in emphatic fashionby trapping Kyle Verreynne (19) lbw before clean bowling Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada.

Shaheen Afridi cleans up the tail as Pakistan take a 1-0 series lead ✅🇵🇰#SSCricket | #PAKvSA | #WTC27 pic.twitter.com/jkwtAj5oOK

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 15, 2025

Dewald Brevis scored a dazzling, run-a-ball 54 in the morning session to briefly raised the tourists expectations but the writing was on the wall when Afridi pinned Tony de Zorzi (16) lbw with the third ball of the day on his way to figures of 4-33.

Resuming on 51-2 the Proteas hopes lay with first innings centurion, de Zorzi, and opener Ryan Rickelton but it was not to be. Tristan Stubbs (2) reverse-swept left arm spinner Noman Ali straight to Salman Agha at slip – just the eighth ball of his innings – and Brevis was bowled by a beauty from Noman which pitched on leg stump and hit the top of off.

💥Reverse SWING masterclass! Shaheen Afridi wraps it up — 🇵🇰 start their WTC cycle with a statement 🔥#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/nvhGF1gyUe

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 15, 2025

Brevis counter-attacked in brilliant style twice driving Noman for straight sixes and adding half a dozen fours on both sides of the wicket but had no answer to a delivery which would have bowled most right handers.

Rickelton’s long, defensive vigil came to an end with an edge against offspinner Sajid Khan (2-38) which was well caught low to the ground by Salman Agha, his fifth slip catch of the match.

Noman’s 4-79 at the break gave him his third 10-wicket haul in just 21 test matches, a remarkable start to a belated career for the 39-year-old.

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PAKISTAN: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Salman Agha, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan

SOUTH AFRICA: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Senuran Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer

South African captain, Aiden Markram, bemoaned the inability of the top order to make big enough scores on an awkward pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore as the home side bowled the tourists out for 183 in their second innings to win the first test by 93-runs inside four days on Wednesday.

The exception in the first innings was Tony de Zorzi whose 104 helped South Africa to a total of 269 but the first innings deficit of 109 was to prove fatal despite an outstanding performance from left arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy who claimed a match haul of 11-174.

“He was exceptional – if you watch him behind the scenes he works really hard, bowls a lot of balls and takes his practice really seriously so no surprise that he’s reaping the rewards out there in the middle. I’m so pleased for him that he could have this game,” Markram said.

But it was the lack of runs which cost South Africa the chance to begin the defence of their World Test Championship title with a victory and Markram included himself in his criticism.

“Quite a few of us made good starts but we weren’t able to push on and get the big scores which make a difference, apart from Tony in the first innings. When you get in, especially in tricky conditions like these, you’ve got to on and make it count,” Markram said.

As for the eyebrow-raising selection of three specialist spinners compared to the two which Pakistan opted for, the Proteas captain said he was happy with having just two seamers in Kagiso Rabada and Wiann Mulder – although Mulder bowled just two overs in the entire test match.

“I’m not sure what conditions will be like in Rawalpindi but I can’t see it being too different from this,” Markram said with a wry smile. “There was a lot of assistance for the spinners, obviously, so it was a nicely balanced team I felt. But we’ll have to get to ‘Pindi and see what it looks like there,” Markram said.

Pakistan captain, Shan Masood, was understandably delighted with the result and his team’s performance but paid tribute to the tenacity of the South Africans: “As I said before the series started, they are a great measuring stick for us being the world test champions, they kept coming back at us when we had the chance to get away, but that’s what champions do, they never give up,” Masood said.

“But also kept going and managed to build up enough of a margin to win and I’m just pleased that we managed to finish it off.”

Masood had high praise for his two spinners, offspinner Sajid Khan who claimed five wickets and 39-year-old left armer Noman Ali whose match haul of 10-191 was his third 10-wicket haul in the 21 tests of his belated career.

“They were outstanding, Sajid has been unlucky with injuries but he bowled 50 overs here and he was unlucky not to have taken more wickets but Noman, Noman is Noman,” Masood said with a shake of his head.

Apart from De Zorzi South Africa can be grateful for the form of opener Ryan Rickelton who oozed class during innings of 71 and 45 and for the promise of Dewald Brevis who counter-attacked in dazzling style on the final day with a run-a-ball 54 including two straight driven sixes off Noman before receiving an unplayable ball from the left hander which pitched on leg stump and hit the top of off stump.

The second test begins at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Tony de Zorzi (104) completed a fine century before South Africa were dismissed for 269 in their first innings to concede a deficit of 109 and will require another 226 runs in their second for an unlikely victory against Pakistan in the first test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.

Sixteen wickets fell on the day, 15 to spin, as Senuran Muthusamy added 5-57 to his first innings haul of 6-117 to help dismiss Pakistan for 167 in their second innings, leaving South Africa with a fourth innings target of 277.

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟑 | 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬

An action-packed day ends with South Africa on the chase ⏩

The Proteas need 226 runs to secure the victory 🇿🇦#PAKvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/gp6GztN0FG

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 14, 2025

A Test match to remember for Senuran Muthusamy! 🌟

A brilliant 10-wicket haul in Lahore; simply outstanding! 🇿🇦🤩 pic.twitter.com/qiIvBr4qJy

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 14, 2025

They were 51-2 at the close of the third day with Ryan Rickelton (29*) and De Zorzi (16*) at the crease. Offspinner Simon Harmer claimed 4-51.

The tourists resumed their first innings on 216 for six with De Zorzi on 81 but could add only 53 for the final four wickets, with left hander De Zorzi’s brave attempt to accelerate leading to his downfall as he holed out to long on against left-arm spinner Noman Ali who claimed a well-deserved 6-112.

De Zorzi faced 171 deliveries collecting 10 fours and two sixes.

Tony de Zorzi cooking is in Lahore 👨‍🍳

He grinds to his second Test century 🇿🇦

📺 Stream #PAKvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw#SSCricket pic.twitter.com/29nEUBvkwm

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 14, 2025

South Africa’s own left-armer, Muthusamy, was the first wicket to fall in the morning session, edging offspinner Sajid Khan to slip for 11.

Prenelan Subrayen (4) edged Noman to the same fielder in the same position and Kagiso Rabada was bowled by offspinner Sajid Khan (3-98), leaving Harmer unbeaten on a doughty 19 from 36 balls with two fours.

OUTSIDE CHANCE

Opener Abdullah Shaffique (41) and Babar Azam (42) guided their team to the verge of impregnability at 119 for three and a lead of 228 with seven wickets in hand, but some reckless batting against disciplined spin bowling saw them lose 7-48 to give the tourists an outside chance on a rapidly deteriorating pitch offering lavish turn with low and unpredictable bounce.

Shaffique clipped, drove and cut six fours from 73 balls before a thunderous straight drive against Muthusamy was remarkably caught by the bowler while Babar faced 72 balls with five fours before Kagiso Rabada (1-33) trapped him lbw with a reversing inswinger.

Saud Shakeel, too, made a promising start before hoisting Muthusamy to Tristan Stubbs on the deep midwicket boundary to depart for 38 from 53 balls (7x4) in the final over before the tea break.

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐢𝐢 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐞 🫡🪄

Muthusamy collects five more wickets in the second innings 🇿🇦💥

📺 Stream #PAKvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/Y4GgcWFYhi

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 14, 2025

Harmer claimed two quick wickets shortly before lunch to offer the Proteas a door back into the test match, a door that should have been firmly shut on a threadbare pitch deteriorating by the hour.

Harmer was given the new ball along with Rabada and struck immediately when Imam-ul-Haq bizarrely charged out of his crease to play a defensive shot and was comfortably stumped by Kyle Verreynne for a second ball duck.

Captain Shan Masood was equally well beaten by Harmer’s quicker ball which kept low and hit him on the back leg in front of leg stump.

Masood’s review revealed the ball to be just clipping leg stump, much to his disgust.

South African captain Aiden Markram (3) was bowled by Noman with an hour’s play remaining and Wiaan Mulder edged the same bowler to slip while attempting to leave his third ball but Rickelton, who made a fluent 71 in the first innings, and De Zorzi took the score from 18 for two to 51 for two to revive hopes.

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PAKISTAN: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Salman Agha, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan

SOUTH AFRICA: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Senuran Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer

Senuran Muthusamy claimed career-best figures of 6-117 to bowl Pakistan out for 378 on the stroke of lunch, having resumed on 313-5 on the second day of the first test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

South Africa will resume on the third morning with Tony de Zorzi in the midst – he will hope – of an excellent innings currently worth 81* from 140 balls (9x4, 1x6) in the company of Muthusamy the batter on six not out. The deficit is currently 162 runs on a rapidly deteriorating pitch. The tourists are currently coming second in the test match, by a distance.

Muthusamy claimed two wickets in two balls for the second time in the innings and three in an over to reduce the hosts from 362-5 to 362-8 having also lost three wickets on the same total on day one when they slipped from 199-2 to 199-5.

Rizwan counter-attacked in fine style reaching 75 from 140 balls (2x4, 2x6) before Muthusamy spun one fiercely to find the right hander’s edge with ‘keeper Kyle Verreynne claiming an excellent catch.

Left-hander Noman was clean bowled two balls later and Sajid Khan could only edge the next delivery into the hands of Markram at slip. Muthusamy wasn’t finished however with fast bowler Shaheen Afridi’s wild swipe gifting him a sixth well-deserved wicket.

Salman Agha, dropped on 36 by Markram on day one, resumed on 52 and batted faultlessly to reach 93 from 145 balls with five fours and three sixes before attempting a fourth six against offspinner Prenelan Subrayen (2-78) and holing out to long on where Muthusamy, appropriately, held the catch.

South Africa, too, were well placed at 174-2 after a positive third wicket partnership of 94 between Ryan Rickelton and de Zorzi but wickets fall in clusters on dry pitches offering lavish turn and the tourists lost 4-26 in 10 overs to slip to 200-6.

Rickelton had converted both of his previous two test 50s into centuries but he edged part-time offspinner Salman low to Babar Azam at slip to depart for 71 from 137 balls with nine fours and two slog-swept sixes against left-arm spinner Noman.

Tristan Stubbs (8) never settled before edging Noman to ‘keeper Rizwan, and Dewald Brevis clipped his first delivery straight to short wicket for the tamest of dismissals. Kyle Verreynne (2) missed a sweep against Noman and then reviewed the lbw which was crashing into the middle of middle stump.

De Zorzi enjoyed some early fortune with two edges off seamer Hasan Ali flying between slip and gully – he was also given out lbw to offspinner Sajid Khan for 23 but escaped on review with the ball pitching fractionally outside leg stump. But he also played some delightful shots including a bold slog-sweep for six, against the spin, off Sajid.

Earlier Aiden Markram (20) and Wiaan Mulder (17) both edged the excellent Noman to Rizwan who handled the uneven bounce superbly behind the stumps.

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PAKISTAN: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Salman Agha, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan

SOUTH AFRICA: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Senuran Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer

In a gripping display of spin bowling mastery, Senuran Muthusamy ripped through Pakistan’s batting line-up on day two of the first test in Lahore, claiming a sensational 6-wicket haul that breathed life into South Africa’s campaign.

With the hosts looking well-set at 278-4 and threatening to post a mammoth first-innings total, Muthusamy stepped up with a spell that will be remembered for its precision, patience, and punch. The left-arm spinner exploited the wearing surface with guile and control, triggering a collapse that saw Pakistan lose their final six wickets for just 100 runs.

A brilliant spell from Senuran Muthusamy! 🔥

A career-best effort with a maiden five-for, marking the third-best Test figures by a South African in Pakistan. 🇿🇦👏 pic.twitter.com/yck5r99adp

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 13, 2025

His first breakthrough came with a sharp turner that trapped Saud Shakeel plumb in front. From there, it was a procession. He outfoxed the dangerous Agha Salman with flight, had Faheem Ashraf caught at slip with a beauty that gripped and bounced, and cleaned up the tail with ruthless efficiency.

Muthusamy’s final figures of 6 for 117 marked his best in test cricket and a career-defining performance under pressure. More than just numbers, it was the timing of his strikes that shifted momentum. Each wicket chipped away at Pakistan’s confidence, and by the time the innings folded at 378, South Africa had clawed their way back into the contest.

Senuran Muthusamy bags himself a maiden Test five-for and the third best Test figures in Pakistan for a South African 🇿🇦#SSCricket #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/65m1QNXVvq

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 13, 2025

The Proteas’ fielders rallied behind their spinner, with sharp catches and vocal support, turning the heat up on a Pakistan side that had looked in control for much of the innings.

As the players walked off, it was Muthusamy who led them, ball in hand, a quiet storm who had just shaken the foundations of Pakistan’s batting fortress.

Pakistan lost three wickets without scoring a run but book-ended the mini collapse with partnerships of 161 and 114* to finish the first day well placed at 313-5 in the first test against South Africa at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq (93) and captain Shan Masood (76) brushed off the loss of Abdullah Shaffique (2) to the third ball of the match and took the score to 163-1 before Masood was trapped lbw by offspinner Prenelan Subrayen (20-0-72-1) with Imam and Babar Azam taking the total to 199-2.

But the tourists bounced firmly back into the contest with three quick wickets either side of the tea break and were themselves superbly placed with the home side faltering at 199-5.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (62*) and allrounder Salman Agha (52*) then guided the home to a daunting total by the close of play on a dry, cracked and grassless pitch which was offering generous turn from the outset and is expected to deteriorate quickly as the test continues.

Kagiso Rabada (13-2-43-1) trapped Shaffique lbw with one of the few deliveries which deviated for him throughout the day but, by and large, the second wicket partnership was untroubled as South Africa’s spinners were unable to apply pressure with consistent lengths with Pakistan reaching 107-1 at lunch.

The final two deliveries before tea, however, brought two wickets for left arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy (26-5-101-2) with left-hander Imam well caught at short leg by Tony de Zorzi after facing 153 balls (7x4, 1x6) and Saud Shakeel (0) nervously prodding a return catch to the bowler off a leading edge.

Shortly after the break Babar was pinned lbw by the impressive Simon Harmer (28-5-75-1) and South sensed they were just one wicket away from opening up the tail. It never happened despite batting conditions becoming noticeably more difficult even through the course of a single day.

Imam was dropped by Wiaan Mulder at mid off from the bowling of Subrayen shortly after reaching his 50, de Zorzi grassed a sharp chance at short leg to reprieve Masood off the same bowler and captain Aiden Markram missed Salman at slip off Muthusamy on 36 – all chances which might have made the day look significantly different.

Rabada (11-2-39-1) is effectively South Africa’s only fast bowler with Wiaan Mulder (2-0-13-0) bowling just two innocuous overs with the new ball before the spinners took over – Marco Jansen was omitted from the starting XI along with David Bedingham in favour of Dewald Brevis who is a renown player of spin bowling.

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PAKISTAN: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Salman Agha, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan

SOUTH AFRICA: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Senuran Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer

South African stand-in captain Aiden Markram said home side Pakistan were well within their rights to prepare extreme turning wickets for their two-test series, which starts in Lahore on Sunday, as they did last year to beat England.

Their 2-1 series win over England a year ago came after they had used a pair of giant windbreaks, two outsized fans and six patio heaters to accelerate the deterioration of the pitch and create a surface that offered spinners maximum turn and grip.

It was a successful ploy as they came back from losing the first test to trump England in conditions that losing captain Ben Stokes called “pretty extreme”.

But Markram, who leads South Africa in place of injured skipper Temba Bavuma, said that was all part of the challenge.

“We saw how things turned out in the English series,” he told a press conference on Saturday. “That was obviously Pakistan's way of trying to win, and it's completely fair, and we look forward to that challenge.”

South Africa had worked hard in preparing, he added, creating wickets with extreme spin to practice on at a training camp before their departure.

“That's where most of the focus has been, naturally looking forward to the challenges that Pakistan pose in terms of spin-friendly tracks.

“As a team that's not exposed to those conditions, it's exciting for us and a great opportunity to get things right in these conditions. We're trying to put a lot of the focus there, and ultimately put five days of good cricket together for the first test.”

Besides Bavuma, South Africa must do without their lead spinner Keshav Maharaj, who misses the first test as he recovers from a groin strain.

“We’ll miss Kesh heaps,” Markram told reporters. “He's incredible, even when the ball doesn't spin, so it's a big loss for us but it's an opportunity for two or three other new spinners of ours to put their hand up and stake a claim, which is really exciting.”

Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer, who last played a test two years ago, are likely to be in the team.

Teenage left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been ruled out of South Africa’s one-off Twenty20 international against Namibia in Windhoek on Saturday and their entire white ball tour to Pakistan after being sidelined with a hamstring strain.

The 19-year-old has been replaced in the squad to face Namibia and the T20 series against Pakistan by seamer Ottneil Baartman. Lizaad Williams is his replacement for the one-day internationals on the subcontinent.

Maphaka was injured in a domestic four-day fixture last week and subsequent medical assessments indicated a Grade 1-2 injury which will require rehabilitation over the next four weeks.

South Africa play three T20s in Pakistan between October 28-November 1, and three ODIs from November 4-8.

Pakistan on Tuesday included five spinners and recalled paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi in an 18-man squad for the two-match test series at home to South Africa.

Besides the deadly spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, Pakistan named Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram and veteran Asif Afridi for the series starting in Lahore on 12 October.

Shan Masood will captain a squad which also sees the return of fast bowler Shaheen after a year-long gap from the longest format.

"There are two newcomers in the spin department to supplement Sajid and Noman, with 38-year-old Afridi who is very experienced and the talented Akram," said a Pakistan Cricket Board statement.

Pakistan used industrial-sized fans, along with patio heaters, to dry out and make spin-friendly pitches to beat England 2-1 at home last year.

Pakistan lost the first test by an innings before they employed a spin-heavy attack with Noman taking 20 and Sajid 19 wickets in the last two tests.

Also included on Tuesday was uncapped wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir as back-up for regular Mohammad Rizwan.

The second test will be played in Rawalpindi from October 20 in the series, the first for both teams in the fourth cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC).

South Africa won the WTC (2023-2025) while Pakistan finished ninth and last.

The tests will be followed by a three-match T20I series and three-match ODI series.

SQUAD:

Shan Masood (captain), Amir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Temba Bavuma being rested and the return of Quinton de Kock are two of the major focuses after Cricket SA named the squads on Monday for the upcoming all-format tour of Pakistan as well as the one-off T20 International (T20I) against Namibia.

The Proteas will begin their defence of the ICC World Test Championship Mace with a two-match test series against Pakistan from 12 - 24 October, taking place in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Test captain Bavuma has been ruled out of the series, as he continues his recovery from a left grade two calf strain sustained during the recent tour of England. In his absence, Aiden Markram will lead the side.

Momentum Multiply Titans spinner Simon Harmer has earned a recall to the national side for the first time since March 2023. He is joined by fellow spinners Senuran Muthusamy and Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ Prenelan Subrayan.

Keshav Maharaj, meanwhile, has been named for the second test only as he completes the final stages of rehabilitation from a left groin strain.

The all-format players selected for the test series - with the exception of Titans allrounder Corbin Bosch and Titans batter Dewald Brevis - will be rested for the white-ball leg of the Pakistan tour, which features three T20Is from 28 October - 1 November and three one-day internationals (ODIs) from 4 - 8 November.

David Miller will lead the T20I squad, while Dafabet Warriors batter Matthew Breetzke will stand in as captain for the ODI series. Titans batter Donovan Ferreira will take the captaincy reins in the T20I against Namibia on 11 October in Windhoek.

The South African Men’s selection panel has named the squads for the upcoming all-format tour of Pakistan as well as the one-off T20 International (T20I) against Namibia.

The Proteas will begin their defence of the ICC World Test Championship Mace with a two-match Test series… pic.twitter.com/0jOOgSpsCv

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 22, 2025

De Kock has been added to both T20I squads as well as the ODI squad. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper, who retired from 50-over cricket at the conclusion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, has reversed his retirement, citing his desire to represent the Proteas across both white-ball formats.

He also returns to the T20I setup for the first time since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final against India in Barbados last June.

There are also maiden call-ups for Ferreira and Warriors wicketkeeper Sinethemba Qeshile, who have been named in the ODI squad, as well as Titans batter Rivaldo Moonsamy, included in the T20I squad to face Namibia.

The T20I against Namibia will be the first limited-overs international match between the two national senior sides and will also mark the official opening of the Namibia Cricket Ground, one of the host venues for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

Convenor of Selector for the Proteas Men, Patrick Moroney said: “Getting our World Test Championship defence underway in Pakistan is an exciting moment for this group.

"It marks the beginning of another important cycle, and the white-ball leg of the tour also presents valuable opportunities to build depth and test ourselves against quality opposition as we continue shaping squads for the T20 and 50-over World Cups.

“We have had to contend with a number of injuries in recent months, and it has been important for the medical and management teams to work closely together to ensure we continue to field the strongest possible squads.

"While injuries are never ideal, they also create opportunities for other players to step up, which is an important part of building that depth across all formats.

“Temba’s calf strain will unfortunately keep him sidelined for six to eight weeks, but the focus is on giving him the best chance to be fully ready for the India tour in November.”

Proteas Men’s Head Coach Shukri Conrad added: “Naturally, we are disappointed not to have Temba available. He has been such an important leader and batter for us in the test side, and his presence on and off the field will be missed.

"At the same time, the majority of the test squad have experience of playing in the subcontinent and understand the demands that come with it, so I’m confident they will embrace the challenge.

“Pakistan is one of the tougher places to tour, and with spin-friendly conditions expected and Keshav only available from the second game, it was important to have an experienced campaigner like Simon in the squad to provide extra depth in the spin department.

“Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us. When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team.

“Matthew has really come into his own in the 50-over space and has lead SA A and the Warriors in this format before, and I have no doubt he’ll captain the ODI side with that same character and composure which he brings to his game.”

“During the T20I series against England, I was impressed by Donovan’s maturity, his understanding of the game, and the way he connects with the younger players in the squad.

"His appointment as captain for the T20I against Namibia presents an exciting challenge, one that I believe will only enhance his development as a cricketer.”

The test squad will convene for a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from 5 - 6 October, before their departure to Lahore from OR Tambo International Airport on 7 October.

Proteas test squad against Pakistan

Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj* (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province).

*Second test only

Proteas T20I squad against Pakistan

David Miller (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Donovan Ferreira (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

Proteas ODI squad against Pakistan

Matthew Breetzke (captain, Dafabet Warriors), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Donovan Ferreira (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), and Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors).

Proteas T20I squad against Namibia

Donovan Ferreira (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Rubin Hermann (North-West Dragons), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

Pakistan Tour Fixtures

Test Series

1st test - Sunday, 12 October - Thursday, 16 October

Pakistan v South Africa - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

2nd test - Monday, 20 October - Friday, 24 October

Pakistan v South Africa - Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

T20I Series

1st T20I - Tuesday, 28 October

Pakistan v South Africa - Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

2nd T20I - Friday, 31 October

Pakistan v South Africa - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

3rd T20I - Saturday, 1 November

Pakistan v South Africa - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

ODI Series

1st ODI - Tuesday, 4 November

Pakistan v South Africa - Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

2nd ODI - Thursday, 6 November

Pakistan v South Africa - Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

3rd ODI - Saturday, 8 November

Pakistan v South Africa - Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

T20I Namibia

Saturday, 11 October

Namibia v South Africa – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek