Pakistan to Host Reigning World Test Champions: Full Series Schedule, Squads & Venues

Pakistan will welcome South Africa, the current World Test champions, on October 12 to kick off its ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Saturday. Two Test matches will kick off this historic tour, which will be followed by the T20Is and the ODIs.

This is the first Test trip to Pakistan by South Africa since their 0-2 defeat in 2021. Once the two red-ball matches finish, the Men in Green and the Proteas will face off in three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals as well.

The first ODI match to be played at the Iqbal Stadium in 17 years will take place in Faisalabad, where all three games will take place. Even though Faisalabad is one of the most well-known cricket stadiums in the country, it hasn't hosted an international match since 2008. Even though local games and PSL matches have been planned here for years, not a single match has been played here.

Sumair Ahmed Syed, PCB Chief Operating Officer, discussed the all-format series and was pleased to announce South Africa's arrival into Pakistan. “We are looking forward to welcoming South Africa for the opening series of our ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign. Starting the new cycle against the current Test champions will provide quality cricket for our players and fans.”

PAK vs SA 2025 Schedule

Taking place from October 12 to 16, the first Test will be the first five-day match at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium since it was recently renovated for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Gaddafi Stadium is the top cricket stadium in Pakistan at the moment. The second Test will take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.

The three T20Is are scheduled for October 28, 31, and November 1 respectively. The opening match will be held in Rawalpindi, with the next two to follow in Lahore. On November 4, the first ODI will be played, while on November 6 and 8, the last two matches will be held respectively. Here is the full South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025 schedule:

PAK vs SA 2025 Squads

Preparation for the Tests has already started by the Pakistan team as they have called 11 players, including Babar Azam, for a separate training camp. Babar Azam, who is one of the best cricketers in the world, was dropped from the squad after a poor string of performances. Ahead of the series, Babar will aim to bounce back. Meanwhile, South Africa will be hoping to prove their prowess in the subcontinental conditions. The SA vs PAK 2025 squads are yet to be announced but here are the probable ones:

Pakistan Squad (Probable)

Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hurraira, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, Kashif Ali, Khushdil Shah.

South Africa Squad (Probable)

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy.