KEY POINTS
- Pakistan to field two pacers and two spinners in playing XI for first Test.
- Asif Afridi likely to make Test debut at 38, backed by interim coach Azhar Mahmood.
- Series marks start of World Test Championship cycle.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is all set to face South Africa in the opening Test of the two-match series starting this Sunday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, as the home side finalizes its playing XI for the encounter.
Pakistan is likely to field a balanced lineup featuring two frontline fast bowlers and two specialist spinners, with the squad also boasting a strong batting order, according to sources close to team management.
Openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq are expected to lead from the top, followed by the in-form Shan Masood, who will also captain the side, and star batter Babar Azam anchoring the top order.
The middle order is likely to feature left-hander Saud Shakeel, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, a trio expected to play pivotal roles in stabilizing the innings and pushing the scoring rate.
In the spin department, experienced campaigner Sajid Khan is set to be joined by 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who is on the verge of making his long-awaited Test debut.
Interim head coach Azhar Mahmood is said to be strongly backing Afridi, impressed by his control and consistency during lengthy spells in the nets.
Shaheen Shah Afridi remains the spearhead of Pakistan’s pace attack, with the second fast bowling slot still under discussion, left-armer Noman Ali and right-arm pacer Khurram Shehzad are both in contention, depending on final pitch conditions.
Both teams are scheduled to hold training sessions at Gaddafi Stadium later today, with intensity building ahead of a series that carries significant weight.
Not only does this series mark the beginning of Pakistan’s new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign, but it also celebrates the return of international cricket to Faisalabad after a 17-year absence.
Following the Lahore Test, the second match will take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.
This tour is also notable for South Africa’s return to red-ball cricket in Pakistan for the first time since January 2021, when the hosts secured a 2-0 series victory.
The Test series will be followed by three T20 Internationals from October 28 to November 1, and a three-match ODI series in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.
Pakistan’s Likely XI
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sajid Khan, Asif Afridi, Noman Ali / Khurram Shehzad
