Pakistan Announces 18-Member Test Squad for South Africa Series – ICC World Test Championship 2025–27

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced an 18-player Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, set to begin on October 12, 2025. This important bilateral series is a key fixture in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle and represents a vital home Test assignment for Pakistan as they aim to secure valuable WTC points on familiar pitches.

Pakistan Test Squad vs South Africa – Full List:

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

Key Highlights from Pakistan’s Test Squad Announcement for South Africa Series:

• Shan Masood retains captaincy as Pakistan's red-ball leader, continuing to lead the national team in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
• Young cricket talents Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, and Rohail Nazir have received their first-ever Test call-ups, signaling a strong focus on nurturing future stars of Pakistan cricket.
• The squad features a strategic blend of experience and youth, including seasoned internationals like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, combined with in-form domestic performers aiming to make their mark at the Test level.

WTC 2025–27: High-Stakes Test Series for Pakistan Cricket:

The upcoming Pakistan vs South Africa Test series 2025 is set to be a pivotal contest in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle. With South Africa entering as the defending WTC champions, this two-match home series presents a formidable test for the Pakistan national Test cricket team. The matches are crucial not only for gaining vital WTC points but also for establishing momentum early in Pakistan’s red-ball campaign as they aim for a strong run in the World Test Championship standings.

Pre-Series Red-Ball Training Camp – Pakistan vs South Africa Tests 2025:

In preparation for the high-stakes Pakistan vs South Africa Test series 2025, the Pakistan Test squad will participate in a focused red-ball training camp led by head coach Azhar Mahmood and top-level support staff from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The camp is designed to fine-tune player readiness for the demanding conditions of Test cricket. Players who recently featured in the Asia Cup 2025 are scheduled to join the training setup on October 4, ensuring full squad cohesion ahead of the first Test match on October 12.