Overview

• Pakistan and South Africa open a two-Test series on October 12 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with the second match scheduled for October 20–24 in Rawalpindi.
• Team sources indicate Pakistan are leaning toward two fast bowlers and two spinners, with Shaheen Shah Afridi back in the XI after a year out of Tests.
• Sajid Khan is dealing with a viral illness, and multiple reports suggest Asif Afridi is poised for a Test debut, though a final decision is expected close to the toss.
• Aiden Markram leads South Africa in place of the injured Bavuma, with Maharaj unavailable for the first Test and spin duties likely shared by Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen.
• Expecting turning pitches, South Africa trained on exaggerated spin surfaces in Pretoria, while Pakistan’s board moved to boost attendance with free-entry enclosures and staged a joint trophy unveiling.