Pakistan vs South Africa — Trial by spin for Proteas as they begin World Test Championship defence
Skipper Aiden Markram is relishing a trial by spin in Pakistan as South Africa launches its World Test Championship (WTC) title defence in Lahore on Sunday.
Pakistan employed industrial fans and patio heaters to prepare dry-square turners against England a year ago. It worked as the host won the series 2-1, with left-armer Noman Ali taking 20 wickets and off-spinner Sajid Khan, 19 in two Tests.
Despite not using similar means this time, Gaddafi Stadium’s pitch is likely to assist spinners in the first Test. South Africa can also expect the same kind of conditions for the second Test in Rawalpindi.
Markram is standing in for regular skipper Temba Bavuma, who led South Africa to the WTC title in June. Bavuma is ruled out of the tour with a calf injury.
Markram admitted that Bavuma and frontline spinner Keshav Maharaj — only available for the second Test because of a groin injury — will be missed.
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Shan Masood acknowledged the gulf between the two teams, with the host having finished ninth and last in the most recent WTC cycle.
The side is also fretting over the fitness of Sajid, who bowled in the nets after suffering from viral flu on Friday and will be assessed before the first Test.
Pakistan is deliberating on giving a Test debut at the age 38 to left-arm spinner Asif Afridi. Afridi took 33 wickets in five matches in a recent domestic tournament.
The host side will look to star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to give it competitive totals after both were discarded from the recently held Twenty20 Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
(with inputs from AFP)
Published on Oct 11, 2025
