Tag: PAK vs SA

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique admitted that luck played a part in his hard-fought fifty against South Africa on the opening day of second Test played here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Abdullah made 57 from 146 balls — the second most balls faced by Pakistan batter on the opening day, with the help of four boundaries.

The right-hander, who was in search of runs, rode his luck and scored his fifth Test half-century. He was dropped three times on 0, 15, and 41.

Speaking at the end of the day’s play, Abdullah reflected on his knock and talked about the dropped chances.

“This is cricket — these things happen to us as well, and it happened to them today. In the end, it worked in our favor. I believe in international cricket, you need a bit of luck too,” he told reporters in a press conference.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

Regarding his run drought in the past couple of years, the 25-year-old emphasized hard work and training to overcome recurring mistakes.

“Every professional goes through a lean patch — I think I’m going through that phase. But good players are those who overcome these challenges. I’ve been working hard in the nets and in the camps before this. I’ve been working on correcting my mistakes.”

We have many senior players in the team, and everyone goes through this phase. I try to talk as much as I can — the more you talk, the more you learn and reflect,” he continued.

He also mentioned the surface, explaining why Pakista’s scoring rate was on the slower side and revealed what he believed would be an ideal first innings total.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Compared to Lahore, there isn’t a major change in this wicket, but the outfield here is a bit slower, which is why the scoring rate was slightly lower. Otherwise, it’s quite similar — no big difference,” he explained.

“We’ll try to bat as long as we can so that we can score enough runs to help our bowlers later. The pitch will get drier and we’ll get more turn. Ideally, we’d like to get to around 320–350,” Abdullah concluded.

READ: Saud holds firm as South Africa’s late strike leave opening day evenly poised

RAWALPINDI: Shan Masood’s composed knock and Abdullah Shafique’s hard-fought fifty laid a solid platform for Pakistan, but South Africa clawed back with late strikes to leave the opening day of the second Test finely balanced.

At the end of day one here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan were 259-5. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 42 from 105 balls while Salman Ali Agha scored 10* from 25 deliveries.

The home side continued their innings from 177-3 after the tea break, with skipper Shan Masood adding 35 more runs with Saud Shakeel.

The scorecard read 212 when the visitors got a vital breakthrough in the form of Masood. The southpaw made 87 from 176 balls, striking three sixes and two fours.

With the wicket of the set batter in the dying hours of the day, South Africa sensed an opening as Mohammad Rizwan arrived at the crease. He added another 34 runs with Shakeel before getting caught for 19 from 39 deliveries.

Consequenlty, Pakistan were reduced to 245-6 with still few overs to play. However, Salman Ali Agha and Shakeel added 13* more and survived the day to set up an intriguing second day’s play.

For South Africa, Simon Harmer and returning Keshav Maharaj were pick of the bowlers, scalping two apiece, whereas Kagiso Rabada had one to his name in the wickets column.

At tea break, Pakistan made 177-3 with skipper Shan Masood standing firm on 77 off 144 balls alongside Saud Shakeel, who was unbeaten on 6, steering Pakistan to a steady position after a productive afternoon session.

Resuming at 95-1 after lunch, Masood and Abdullah Shafique extended their second-wicket partnership, adding 111 valuable runs to keep the Proteas at bay.

Both batters brought up well-crafted fifties, Masood his 13th in Test cricket and Shafique his sixth, as the pair looked set for a big stand before South Africa found a way back.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer, who had struck earlier in the morning session, broke through once again, dismissing Shafique for 57 off 146 deliveries.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

The dismissal ended what had been a resilient partnership that formed the backbone of Pakistan’s innings.

Soon after, Keshav Maharaj joined the act, removing Babar Azam for 16 off 22 balls, leaving the hosts at 167-3 in 56 overs.

Despite the quick wickets, Masood held his composure, mixing solid defence with timely aggression to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Earlier, Pakistan had opted to bat first after winning the toss. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique started confidently, negotiating the new ball well before Harmer provided the breakthrough by bowling Imam for 17 off 35 balls.

Masood’s arrival immediately shifted momentum back in Pakistan’s favour as the left-hander took the attack to South Africa’s spinners, striking three sixes and a boundary before lunch.

He and Shafique ensured Pakistan headed into the first break comfortably placed at 95-1.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Pakistan entered the match with one change from the opening Test, handing a long-awaited Test debut to 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who replaced Hasan Ali.

South Africa, meanwhile, welcomed back Keshav Maharaj from injury, while Marco Jansen also returned, replacing Wiaan Mulder and Prenelan Subrayen.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan began their ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign in style last week, defeating defending champions South Africa by 93 runs in Karachi to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

READ: Marnus Labuschagne reveals reason behind continued batting struggles

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan handed a Test debut to 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi in the second Test against South Africa on Monday here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Afridi, who replaced fast bowler Hasan Ali in the playing XI, was preferred over Abrar Ahmed to bolster Pakistan’s spin attack alongside Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.

The hosts are fielding only one pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, in the second Test, reflecting a spin-heavy strategy on the Rawalpindi surface.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

With his debut, Asif Afridi becomes Pakistan’s second-oldest Test debutant at 38 years and 299 days, making him the oldest to earn a Test cap for the country since Miran Baksh, who debuted at 47 back in 1955.

Having made his first-class debut in 2009, Afridi endured a long break before re-emerging in 2015 to establish himself as a consistent performer in domestic cricket.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Over 57 first-class matches, he has taken 198 wickets at an average of 25.49, alongside scoring 1,630 runs, including a century, underlining his value as a lower-order contributor.

For the visitors, South Africa welcomed back Keshav Maharaj, who missed the first Test due to injury, while Marco Jansen returned to the side as well, replacing Wiaan Mulder and Prenelan Subrayen.

READ: Azhar Mahmood wary of Maharaj threat ahead of second South Africa Test

RAWALPINDI: South Africa stand-in skipper Aiden Markram expressed confidence in his side’s ability to counter the spin challenge and bounce back against Pakistan in the second Test, scheduled to be played tomorrow at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Markram lavished praise on Keshav Maharaj, who is set to return after missing out on the first Test in Lahore.

“Kesh is available, that’s why he’s here. It’s great to have him back in the camp — he brings lots of experience and a really good skill set as well,” he told reporters in the pre-match presser.

“For us, it’s very important to try and level the series, and we’re looking forward to this game starting tomorrow,” he continued.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

South Africa were outplayed by spin from Pakistan in the first Test played at the Gaddafi Stadium. Noman Ali starred in the match with a ten-wicket haul, troubling the Proteas batter with his magical spin bowling.

Markram admitted that he is ready to face more spin, and they have plans to counter the threat posed by the home side spinners.

“We’re expecting more spin; the wicket looks pretty good to the eye, but we’ve expected these types of conditions from day one. It’s about us having done some homework post that first game and coming up with new plans to hopefully counter that,” he explained.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Regarding his batting, the South Africa skipper emphasized net practice and stated that he is in good shape to score vital runs for his team.

“I’ve been feeling good, spending time in the nets trying to come up with ideas that suit my game in these conditions. I feel like I’m mentally in a really good space and very hungry to contribute and lead from the front.”

The 31-year-old remained confident in his side’s chances to avoid a 2-0 clean sweep.

“When you get to spinning conditions, the guessing game is always how long till it really starts to spin exaggeratedly, so we’ll have to assess that as quickly as we can.

We know how this game works — it doesn’t always come off — but I’ll always live and die with my heart on my sleeve and give it a good fight.,” Aiden Markram concluded.

READ: Marsh, bowlers power Australia to win in rain-hit ODI opener

RAWALPINDI: Interim red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood has hailed South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj as a world-class spinner, emphasizing that his return will bring significant challenges for Pakistan.

Keshav Maharaj will make his return to the side after missing out in the first Test, and he will pose a threat to Pakistan batters; however, Mahmood braces for better execution and decision-making in the match.

“We’re playing against the best team and they’re obviously not going to take this lightly, they’ll give it their all to comeback; they were relying heavily on one of their spinners [Keshav Maharaj], who’s one of the best in the world. It’ll bring a lot of challenges for us.”

“We know what challenges will come, and we need to see how to tackle those. On the day, it’s all about execution and making the right decision when you bat, bowl, or field,” Azhar told reporters in a pre-match press conference.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

Azhar emphasized a dry Pindi pitch and hinted that the playing XI will be tweaked according to the surface.

“We will decide tomorrow morning about the playing XI. Currently, the pitch is looking on the dryer side, and there is a possibility of changes, “but not too many,” he remarked.

“It’s possible we go with a 3-1 combination [three spinners and one pacer], but it hasn’t been decided yet,” he said.

“With regards to the toss, we don’t want that the whole match is decided by the toss. Even, if we lose the toss, our aim is that even if we lose the toss, we try to make 350 (runs) in the first innings,” he continued.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Azhar Mahmood also termed the process as key for winning the World Test Championship (WTC), stating that the players’ confidence is on the higher side.

“Obviously, we need to go step by step to reach there — you need to play in conditions abroad, play in the West Indies, Bangladesh, and England. So the process that I keep talking about, we need to take the matches one by one. With Test matches, we’ll take it session by session.

“This team has been playing for quite some time now, the boys’ morale is quite high, they knew it was important to win the match, and you saw the effort they put in. They’re confident, and they’re all getting along well and playing together. This is what a team needs to build up,” he concluded.

READ: WATCH: Mitchell Starc removes Virat Kohli for duck in ODI series opener

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and South Africa squads arrived here on Friday for the forthcoming second Test, set to be played on October 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Upon arrival from Lahore, players from both teams received a warm reception at the hotel.

Pakistan and South Africa will hold practice sessions tomorrow (12:30 to 15:30) for three hours and on Sunday (10:00 to 13:00) for two hours at the Islamabad club.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

Following training on Sunday, captains from both teams will hold the pre-match press conference at the Stadium.

Meanwhile, the second Test is scheduled to begin on October 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the hosts holding an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Pakistan is riding high on their 93-run victory in the opening Test at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The hosts defended a target of 277, bowling out South Africa for 183 on the fourth day to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Noman Ali starred for the home side with the ball, picking up ten wickets in the match — 6/112 in the first and 4/79 in the second innings.

For his outstanding performance, Noman was adjudged player of the match.

READ: Bangladesh team receive hostile reception after Afghanistan whitewash

Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah are reportedly in line for a comeback as the national selectors prepare to finalise the squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.

A source within the selection committee confirmed on Friday that no player has been ruled out of contention, stressing that all selections will be based purely on team requirements as Pakistan enter the final stretch of their preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

If included, Babar’s return will mark his first T20I appearance since the 2024 tour of South Africa, while Naseem could also feature for the first time in the shortest format since facing Australia in November last year.

The selection committee, according to the source, is focused on assembling a balanced and competitive unit that reflects both recent form and long-term planning for the global event.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

The three-match T20I series will be played between October 28 and November 1, with the opening fixture in Rawalpindi, followed by two games at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The white-ball leg will continue with a three-match ODI series in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.

READ: AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden back cricket’s new format ‘Test Twenty’

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced ticket prices for the white-ball series between Pakistan and South Africa.

The white-ball leg begins with the three-match T20I series, starting October 28 in Rawalpindi, followed by back-to-back games in Lahore on October 31 and November 1.

The three ODIs will then be played in Faisalabad on November 4, 6, and 8.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pakistan Cricket (@therealpcb)

Tickets for the opening T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium have been priced to suit a wide range of fans, with rates starting at PKR 400 for General enclosures and going up to PKR 15,000 for Platinum Box seats.

VIP tickets are available for PKR 800, Premium Enclosure tickets for PKR 700, First Class for PKR 600, and PCB Gallery seats for PKR 1,500.

For the Lahore leg at Gaddafi Stadium, ticket prices remain unchanged across both matches: PKR 400 for General, PKR 600 for First Class, PKR 700 for Premium, and PKR 800 for VIP enclosures.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

Fans seeking a more exclusive experience can opt for the VIP Far End (PKR 1,500), VIP New Pavilion (PKR 2,000), or VIP Gallery (PKR 2,500).

Meanwhile, the ODI series at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad offers similarly accessible pricing.

General enclosure tickets begin at PKR 400, with First-Class seats available for PKR 600 and VIP Enclosure tickets priced at PKR 800. The VIP Ground Floor seating, offering the best view in the house, is set at PKR 3,000.

READ: Indian star batter named ICC Player of the Month for September 2025

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to enhance security around the dressing room area at Gaddafi Stadium after a fan managed to breach the players’ zone in an attempt to meet his idol, Babar Azam.

According to sources, the board has approved the installation of an iron fence between the spectator enclosures and the dressing room area to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“The new fencing will ensure fans cannot directly access the players’ zone again,” a PCB source confirmed.

The incident occurred during the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa when a teenage fan climbed over the barrier from the Majid Khan Enclosure and made his way toward the dressing room.

He managed to slip past the stands and approach the players’ area before being spotted by members of the support staff, who immediately alerted security personnel.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The intruder was detained and handed over to the police. Officials said the teenager confessed to entering the restricted area solely to take a selfie with Babar Azam.

A case was later registered against him for trespassing and interfering in official matters.

The incident briefly shifted attention away from Pakistan’s 93-run victory over South Africa, which gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.

Despite enduring a lean run with the bat in recent months, Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s most followed and admired cricketer.

His overall career numbers, more than 14,000 international runs across formats, continue to reflect his stature as one of the modern greats, inspiring unwavering loyalty among fans.

READ: Aqib Javed to supervise spin-friendly pitch preparation for Rawalpindi Test

Director of High Performance and national selector Aqib Javed is set to reach Rawalpindi on Friday to oversee pitch preparations for the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa.

The second Test is scheduled to begin on October 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the hosts holding an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

According to reliable sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has instructed the ground staff to prepare a turning track, continuing their ongoing strategy in home Test matches.

Sources revealed that the pitch curators have been working tirelessly for the past three days to ensure conditions favour spin.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Aqib’s visit is aimed at reviewing the surface and ensuring it aligns with Pakistan’s tactical plans for the series decider.

Both teams are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday, with Pakistan riding high on their 93-run victory in the opening Test at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The hosts defended a target of 277, bowling out South Africa for 183 on the fourth day to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Notably, Pakistan have leaned heavily on spin-friendly pitches in home Tests since last year’s series against England.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

After suffering a crushing defeat by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test, Pakistan made significant changes under Aqib Javed’s guidance, both in team selection and pitch strategy.

The approach, which included preparing drier, spin-assisted surfaces, proved successful as Pakistan bounced back to win the remaining two Tests and clinch the series 2–1.

The formula has since become central to Pakistan’s red-ball approach at home.

READ: Amir set to spearhead Quetta Qavalry attack in Abu Dhabi T10 League