Babar to bat at 4; 3 spinners locked in? Pakistan's probable XI for 1st Test vs South Africa

Pakistan probable XI Vs SA [Source: AFP Photo]

The stage is set as Pakistan will begin its World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle as the Men in Green will take on South Africa at home in a two-match series. The tour provides Pakistan with a great opportunity to beat the current WTC title holders in home conditions in the two Tests.

The Pakistan selectors have made a handful of changes in the Test squad, with a couple of fresh faces to be seen. Ahead of the first Test, we form Pakistan’s probable XI that could beat South Africa in the first Test match.

Comeback man, Imam to open with Shafique

Imam-ul-Haq last played a Test match for Pakistan during the away tour of Australia in 2023. Since then, he was omitted from the squad, with Pakistan preferring Saim Ayub. However, with Ayub struggling in T20Is, the selectors made a strange call to drop him from the Tests.

Imam was picked in the squad due to his exceptional Test record at home, and the management wants him to capitalise on it.

(Imam-ul-Haq record at home)

• He has a phenomenal Test stats at home, as the southpaw has aggregated 814 runs in 14 Tests, with an average of 62.62. With Saim Ayub struggling and Abdullah Shafique unreliable, Pakistan would want Imam to play the series of his life.

Pressure on Babar as he bats at 4 vs South Africa

With Shan Masood occupying the number 3 spot, star batter Babar Azam will bat at 4, but he will be under tremendous pressure to deliver the goods. He was snubbed from the Asia Cup squad last month, and his recent Test record is also abysmal.

(Babar Test stats in last 3 years)

• As the data suggests, the last three years have been average for Babar in Test arena. He hasn’t scored a Test ton in the last three years, and hence, the upcoming Test remains crucial for him as he aims to deliver at number 4.
• Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, and Agha Salman will form the middle-order alongside Babar as the Men in Green have a solid batting for home conditions.

3 spinners locked in by the management?

Ever since the heavy defeat against the English side, last year Pakistan has believed in churning out spin-dekcs to neutralize the opponent. Expect something on similar lines, and if the reports are to be believed, Pakistan could go in with Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and debutant Asif Afridi as the spinners.

(Sajid and Noman in home Tests)

• The deadly duo has combined to take 98 wickets in 18 home Tests, and the duo was instrumental in Pakistan’s home success vs England. With Asif Afridi also added in the scheme of things, expect just one front-line pacer in the squad.

Shaheen Afridi, the lone seamer in playing XI

With three front-line spinners and Salman Ali Agha as the fourth spin-bowler in the side, Pakistan are likely to go in with Shaheen Afridi as the lone pacer. The wickets will offer help for the spinners and there is no need to have a second pace-bowling auction.

Pakistan's probable XI for first Test vs South Africa

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

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