South Africa to Begin WTC Title Defence with Pakistan Tour in October

South Africa to Begin WTC Title Defence with Pakistan Tour in October

South Africa will begin their defence of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title with a multi-format tour of Pakistan starting October 12, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday.

The marquee tour features two Test matches, which will mark the start of the 2025-27 WTC cycle for both teams. South Africa arrive in Pakistan as reigning WTC champions, having defeated Australia at Lord’s earlier this year to claim their maiden WTC title.

Full Tour Schedule Confirmed

The first Test will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from October 12 to 16, followed by the second Test in Rawalpindi from October 20 to 24.

The red-ball leg will be followed by a six-match white-ball series, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs:

  • T20I Series:

    • 1st T20I: Rawalpindi – October 28

    • 2nd T20I: Lahore – October 31

    • 3rd T20I: Lahore – November 1

  • ODI Series:

    • 1st ODI: Faisalabad – November 4

    • 2nd ODI: Faisalabad – November 6

    • 3rd ODI: Faisalabad – November 8

Notably, Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium will host an ODI for the first time in 17 years. The venue last staged a 50-over international in 2008, when Pakistan played Bangladesh.

Return to Familiar Grounds

This tour will see South Africa's Test and T20I squads return to Pakistan after four years. On their last Test tour in 2021, South Africa were beaten 2-0. Their ODI side, however, played in the country more recently during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where they reached the semifinals before falling to New Zealand.

The series promises high-stakes cricket as both sides look to begin their WTC campaigns on a strong note, with Pakistan seeking to make a statement on home soil, and South Africa aiming to defend their newly earned Test crown.