As excitement builds ahead of the Pakistan vs South Africa Test series, captains Shan Masood and Aiden Markram jointly unveiled the series trophy at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on Saturday, marking the formal start of the much-anticipated contest.
During the ceremony, Aiden Markram toured the NCA museum, where Shan Masood highlighted Pakistan’s rich cricketing history and the legacy of past trophies. Masood expressed confidence in his side’s preparation, emphasizing the importance of home conditions and the goal of taking 20 wickets to secure victory.
In his pre-match press conference, Shan Masood described the series as a critical step in the World Test Championship cycle. “Our focus is on taking 20 wickets to win,” he said, noting that Pakistan aims to start the series strong and avoid flat pitches that lead to drawn matches. The captain also revealed that team selection would depend on pitch conditions, with the possibility of fielding three spinners.
Meanwhile, South Africa captain Aiden Markram acknowledged Pakistan’s strength in spin-friendly conditions but expressed confidence in his team’s preparation. “Playing in Pakistan will be a challenge, but we are fully ready for it,” he said. Markram praised Pakistan captain Shan Masood, calling him a “world-class player” whose wicket would be crucial for South Africa.
The first Test begins tomorrow at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where both teams will look to make a strong start in their quest for Test Championship points.
