PAK VS SA 1ST TEST

As the old Chinese proverb goes, ‘A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.’ Few arenas embody that truth better than Test cricket. Over the next two matches, Pakistan and South Africa will step into the kind of contest where endurance outvalues elegance and patience outshines power. The series begins in Lahore, where the opening Test will set the tone for what follows, before the action shifts north to Rawalpindi for the second and final encounter. In this format, the two sides last faced each other on South African soil, where the Proteas asserted their dominance with victories in both matches. Since that last meeting, South Africa have climbed to the summit of the game’s most demanding format, claiming the World Test Championship mace earlier this year with a stirring triumph over Australia in the final. This tour, then, marks the first step in defending that hard-earned crown as they begin their new WTC cycle of 2025-27. Pakistan, meanwhile, approach the series with lessons still fresh from a turbulent home season, where West Indies defied odds and convention to share the honours 1-1. Shan Masood continues at the helm for the Men in Green, guiding a side that welcomes the return of two of its cornerstone figures. After nearly three months away from international cricket, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are set to rejoin the fold. Pakistan will be taking the field for their first Test since January, simultaneously embarking on their journey in the current WTC cycle. The squad features a mix of experience and youth, including the 38-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Asif Afridi and the young left-arm spinner Faisal Akram, who join the spin group of Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed. The inclusion of young keeper-batter Rohail Nazir also gives him an important opportunity at this level alongside Pakistan’s regulars. Shaheen Afridi will lead the pace attack alongside Hasan Ali and Aamer Jamal, though with spin expected to play a key role in Pakistan, the team may opt for a two-pacer combination. But the biggest concern for the hosts is their conversion rate. Since the start of 2022, Pakistan have played 24 Tests and managed to win only six, which tells a story of inconsistency in the format. Even at home, the numbers haven’t looked great, as they’ve won just three of their fifteen matches in this period. South Africa, the defending WTC champions, will be without skipper Temba Bavuma, who’s recovering from a calf strain, with Aiden Markram leading in his absence. Keshav Maharaj is also sidelined for the first Test and doubtful for the second. His absence makes the challenge tougher, as playing in Pakistan without their premier spinner and in conditions where spinners can dictate terms won’t be easy. Simon Harmer joins Prenelan Subrayen and Senuran Muthusamy in the spin department, giving South Africa a few solid options to work with in Maharaj’s absence. Kagiso Rabada, ranked No. 2 in the world, will spearhead the pace attack alongside Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch. On the batting front, their lineup runs deep, blending the experience of Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, and the ever-reliable all-rounder Wiaan Mulder with exciting, proven young talents like Dewald Brevis and Tony de Zorzi. This is South Africa’s first Test tour to Pakistan since 2021, and they will be well aware of the clean sweep the hosts achieved back then. They have played only nine Tests on Pakistani soil, so opportunities have been limited, and their last win in this part of the world came all the way back in 2007 under the legendary Graeme Smith. Overall, however, South Africa have dominated the rivalry, holding a commanding lead of 17 wins to Pakistan’s six across 30 encounters. Also, this is the first Test being hosted in Gaddafi Stadium since 2022, where Pakistan’s record is kind of decent. With all said, let the game begin and let’s see who goes to Rawalpindi with broad smiles.