Pakistan have kicked off their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) journey today in Lahore by winning the toss and electing to bat first against South Africa, who will undertake the defence of their title.

Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq opened the innings for Pakistan as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were also back in the test squad despite their absence in white-ball formats.

Sajid Khan, whose inclusion was dubious before the match as he was battling with the flu, had finally registered his name in the final XI. Khan, along with 39-year-old Noman Ali, will take charge as the game-changers with their spin.

In the 2023-25 WTC season, Pakistan could only manage to win three of their 12 games, while South Africa will look to complete a record-extending 11th straight Test win.

In the absence of Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram will lead the South African side in the two-match test series, which is part of the WTC 2025-2027 season.

South Africa will miss Keshav Maharaj – their seasoned spinner. The internationally less experienced Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen are to step up.

Pakistan’s playing XI

Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hassan Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan.

South Africa’s playing XI

Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Prenelan Subrayen, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada.