ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will begin their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign with a two-match home Test series against defending champions South Africa, starting on October 12 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The venue, recently renovated ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, will host its first five-day match since the overhaul, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement said on Saturday.

The second Test will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from Oct. 20 to 24, marking South Africa’s first red-ball tour of Pakistan since 2021, when they lost the series 2-0.

The tour will continue with three T20 Internationals from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, split between Rawalpindi and Lahore. It will conclude with a three-match ODI series from Nov. 4 to 8 at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad — the city’s first ODI in 17 years. Pakistan last played there in April 2008, defeating Bangladesh by seven wickets.

“We are looking forward to welcoming South Africa for the opening series of our ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign,” said PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed. “Starting against the current Test champions will provide quality cricket for our players and fans.”

He added that the return of ODI cricket to Faisalabad is a “special moment” for the venue, which holds a “proud place” in Pakistan’s cricketing history.

South Africa Tour to Pakistan

Oct. 12-16 – First Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
20-24 October – Second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Oct. 28 – First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Oct. 31 – Second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Nov. 1 – Third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Nov. 4 – First ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Nov. 6 – Second ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Nov. 8 – Third ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

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Pakistan begin WTC campaign against South Africa in October