Overview

• The PCB trimmed its initial list by releasing Aamer Jamal and Faisal Akram, confirming a 16-player Test squad led by Shan Masood.
• Defending champions South Africa tour under stand-in captain Aiden Markram after Temba Bavuma was ruled out with a calf strain.
• South Africa completed spin-focused training on exaggerated turning nets in Pretoria to prepare for expected low, skiddy conditions.
• The Proteas named a spin-heavy group featuring Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen, with Keshav Maharaj available for the second Test.
• The two Tests are scheduled for October 12–16 in Lahore and October 20–24 in Rawalpindi, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs from October 28 to November 8.