The first Test of a two-Test series between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore begins on Sunday (today).

This series marks the beginning of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle for both teams. South Africa enter as the reigning WTC champions, having secured victory in the 2023- 25 edition.

The Test matches is being hosted in Lahore from October 12 to 16 and in Rawalpindi from October 20 to 24. Following the Tests, fans can look forward to a series of six white-ball matches-three T20Is and three ODIs-between the two sides.

Pakistan have a promising chance to kick off their World Test Championship campaign with a series win against the defending champions. The visitors are led by stand-in captain Aiden Markram, as Temba Bavuma continues to recover from a Grade 2 left calf strain sustained during England tour.

Aware of the challenging conditions in Pakistan, South Africa look prepared for slow, turning pitches. Markram expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to face the spin assault, acknowledging Pakistan’s ability to capitalise on home advantage.

He also referred to last year’s England series, when Pakistan hosted England. After losing the first Test, Pakistan rebounded impressively by winning the next two on pitches that turned square, aided by innovative drying techniques using industrial fans, heaters and windbreakers.

As the series begins, all eyes are on whether Pakistan can leverage the home conditions to upset the reigning champions and make a strong start to their World Test Championship journey.

South Africa have also picked a spin-heavy squad, which includes left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy and off-spinners Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen. “They are all quite different. If you look at the two off-spinners to start with, Simon and Subs, especially having faced them now where it is spinning, its two completely different challenges they throw at you. That is something great to have as a squad.”, Markram said.

“You don’t really want similar types of spinners. They are each quite different, different paces, different types of spin in terms of side spin and over-spin and stuff like that, which reacts differently off the wickets. They will play a massive role for us there if what we’re expecting is going to be the case.”

South Africa’s first-choice spinner Keshav Maharaj will only join the squad for the second Test, when they will have four specialist spin options. They will not, however, enjoy the return of their regular Test captain Temba Bavuma, who was ruled out of the series with a calf injury.

On the other hand, Shan Masood will continue as captain and will heavily depend on its experienced spinners Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi and Salman Ali Agha. Historically, the subcontinent’s pitches favour spinners, and Pakistan’s current squad is well-equipped with some of the most talented and experienced slow bowlers in international cricket.

Playing on home soil in known conditions always increases the confidence of local players. The series will provide a good experience to young Pakistani players. It will be a good chance for them to perform against a quality opposition and cement their places in the national team.

South Africa have never been an easy side to beat, but them playing in Pakistan will be an advantage for the local boys.

Today’s South African team is not as strong as it was in the past. Pakistan’s chances in the series will depend on the batting performance, especially from the top-order.

The young Pakistani batsmen should show patience and try to stay at the crease as much as possible and if they are successful, Pakistan will have a good chance to win the series.

Recent performance statistics underline Pakistan’s potential. In the last five Test series played at home, Pakistan’s spinners have taken an average of 6 wickets per match, significantly contributing to their victories.

South Africa traditionally prefers fast bowlers and tends to struggle against quality spinners, especially on pitches that offer turn. Their batters have a lower success rate against spin bowling, with a batting average of just 24 against Pakistan’s spinners in the last three encounters. This statistical edge provides Pakistan with a tactical advantage.

A recent statistical analysis of pitches used in Pakistan’s recent home Tests showed an average spin factor of 3.2, indicating moderate to high turn, which favors Pakistan’s spinners.

Pakistan have demonstrated their prowess in home conditions, winning 70% of their Test matches when spin-friendly conditions prevail.

Their team’s ability to adapt quickly to the pitch and weather conditions played a pivotal role in these outcomes, further bolstering their chances.

The statistical outlook points towards Pakistan’s favourable chances of winning the Test series through their spin attack. With a combination of experienced spinners, favorable pitch conditions, and South Africa’s known struggles against spin, Pakistan’s chances of clinching the series are promising.

Before the ongoing Test series, Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other in 30 matches. Out of these 30 games, South Africa dominated the series with 17 Test wins while Pakistan have won 6. Seven matches ended as draw.

Overall, 13 Test series played between the two teams. Protease remained victorious in eight series, Pakistan have won two series - both on home soil - while three series ended draw.

Pakistan’s first tour to South Africa was in January 1995 for only Test that was played in Johannesburg.

It was a one-sided Test that ended with the home team victory with a huge margin 324 runs. After two years, South African team first time visit Pakistan for a three Test series.

It was expected that the Pakistan will take the advantage of home conditions and will take revenge and win the series.

Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis is the top scorer from both sides with 1564 runs in 19 Tests with six centuries and eight fifties at an average of 53.93.

For Pakistan, veteran Younis Khan scored 990 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 39.70 with four hundreds and two fifties.

Former leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is the most successful Pakistan bowler against South Africa with 36 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 30.44. Dale Steyn has taken 59 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 23.28.

Khurram Manzoor’s 146 runs in Abu Dhabi in 2013 is the highest score from a Pakistani batsman against South Africa. Former skipper AB de Villiers made the highest score (278 not out) for South Africa against Pakistan.

Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis is the top scorer from both sides with 1564 runs in 19 Tests with six centuries and eight fifties at an average of 53.93.

For Pakistan, veteran Younis Khan scored 990 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 39.70 with four hundreds and two fifties.

Dale Steyn has taken 59 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 23.28 for South Africa.

Former leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is the most successful Pakistan bowler against South Africa with 36 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 30.44.

Former skipper AB de Villiers made the highest individual score (278 not out) for South Africa against Pakistan.

South Africa’s 620-7d in Cape Town in the 2003 series still the highest team total against Pakistan while Pakistan's 478 also in Cape Town during the last tour in January 2025 is the highest innings total.

Pakistan bowled out on just 49 in Johannesburg during the 2013 series is the lowest innings total from the two countries. South Africa’s lowest innings total (124) came in March 1998 series.

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