Pakistan vs South Africa Tests 2025: Who's in, who's out?

South Africa announced their squad for the series on September 8. The most significant news from their side is that regular captain Temba Bavuma is missing through injury, meaning Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas instead. There are also returns for off-spinner Simon Harmer and batter Zubayr Hamza. Harmer made his Test debut in 2015, and last played for South Africa in 2023, playing just 10 Tests in eight years. Hamza has played eight Tests since 2019, the last one coming on South Africa's tour of New Zealand in 2024, when the Proteas sent a weakened side due to a schedule clash with the SA20.

 

 

Pakistan also have one significant return. Opener Imam-ul-Haq has banged the door down to a Test recall following some stellar performances in England's One-Day Cup, and then a triple-century in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy. Imam last played a Test on Boxing Day in 2023. He also briefly made a return to Pakistan's ODI team in this year's Champions Trophy.  

Youngsters Rohail Nazir and Faisal Akram earned spots, as well as 38-year-old uncapped spinner Asif Afridi. However, in the week leading upto the series, Akram, along with senior pacer Aamer Jamal, was released from the squad. 

Pakistan vs South Africa Tests 2025: Full squad lists

Pakistan

Batters: Shan Masood (c), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel.

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Rohail Nazir.

All-rounders: Aamer Jamal, Salman Ali Agha, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam.

Bowlers: Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Noman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

South Africa

Batters: Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Zubayr Hamza.

Wicketkeepers: Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verrynne.

All-rounders: Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen.

Bowlers: Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj*, Kagiso Rabada.

* = second Test only

Pakistan vs South Africa Tests 2025: Schedule

  • 1st Test: October 12-16, Lahore
  • 2nd Test: October 20-24, Rawalpindi

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