Pakistan vs South Africa: 2nd Test Preview,Prediction – Rawalpindi, October 20-24, 2025
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium plays host to the second and final Test of South Africa’s tour of Pakistan, with the hosts holding a commanding 1-0 series lead after a gritty 93-run victory in Lahore. As both teams kick off their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaigns, Pakistan will aim to seal a morale-boosting home series win, while South Africa seek a swift turnaround to salvage pride and points. The match, starting Monday at 10:00 AM local time, promises another chapter in this absorbing contest between spin-friendly pitches and resilient batting line-ups.
Recap1st Test PAK vs SA : Pakistan’s Spin-Dominated Triumph in Lahore
Pakistan’s decision to prepare a turning track in the series opener paid dividends, vindicating captain Shan Masood’s “20-wicket masterplan” for home Tests. Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan racked up 378 in their first innings, powered by half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq (93), Shan Masood (76), Mohammad Rizwan, and Agha Salman. South Africa responded doggedly with 269, led by Tony de Zorzi’s 81, but Pakistan’s spinners – spearheaded by Noman Ali’s 6/112 – dismantled the Proteas’ middle order.
Enforcing the follow-on after declaring at 167/7 in their second dig (setting a target of 277), Pakistan watched South Africa mount a spirited chase. A 73-run stand between Ryan Rickelton and the explosive Dewald Brevis (54 off 54 balls) briefly threatened an upset, but Noman Ali’s match-winning 4/79 – taking his haul to 10 wickets – combined with Shaheen Afridi’s reverse-swing bursts to bowl South Africa out for 183. Senuran Muthusamy impressed for the visitors with 11 wickets across both innings, including key blows in Pakistan’s second innings, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
This win marks Pakistan’s first home Test victory since mid-2023 and signals a return to their traditional strengths on slower surfaces. For South Africa, stand-in captain Aiden Markram praised his side’s fightback – they outscored Pakistan’s third innings – but lamented execution lapses on a pitch that offered less extreme turn than anticipated.
Pak vs SA 1st Test Match scorecard
Pakistan 378 and 167/7 declares
South Africa 269 and 183 target 277
Result Pakistan won by 93 runs.
Player of match Noman Ali 10/191
Top score :
Pakistan Imam ul Haq 93
South Africa Tony de Zorzi (81 + 16)
Top wicket takers
South Africa : Senuran Muthusamy (11 wkts)
Pakistan : Noman Ali (10 wkts)
Venue and Pitch Outlook:
Rawalpindi’s Familiar Flatness with a Twist
Rawalpindi has been a fortress for Pakistan, yielding high-scoring thrillers in recent years – think Babar Azam’s 196 and centuries galore in the 2022 England series. Unlike Lahore’s deliberate turner, expect a dry, true surface that starts batsman-friendly but could deteriorate by days 3-4, aiding spinners as the match wears on. Overnight dew might play a role in evening sessions, potentially favoring chasers if the toss goes to the team bowling first.
Weather forecasts predict clear skies with temperatures hovering around 28-32°C, ensuring a full five days of uninterrupted play. Historically, teams batting first here have won 60% of matches since 2019, but Pakistan’s toss luck (1/1 so far) could tilt the scales.
Team News and Tactical Battles
**Pakistan (Unchanged Likely):** Masood’s squad showed balance in Lahore, blending seam bite from Shaheen Afridi (late swing sealing the win) with spin dominance from Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. The batting, though fragile in the second innings (collapsing from 150/3 to 167 all out), has depth with Rizwan’s counter-attacking nous and Salman Agha’s all-round utility.
Pakistan ProbablePlaying XI:
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Rizwan (wk), Salman, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Afridi, and Naseem Shah.
**South Africa (Boosted Attack):** The Proteas gain a massive lift with Keshav Maharaj’s return from injury, replacing the less experienced spinner and allowing a potential seam tweak – Marco Jansen could edge in for extra bounce and lower-order muscle. Aiden Markram continues as captain in Temba Bavuma’s absence (niggles persist). Their batting showed grit – de Zorzi (120 series runs) and Rickelton impressed – but top-order collapses remain a chink.
Predicted XI South Africa :
Rickelton, de Zorzi, Markram (c), Stubbs, Brevis, Verreynne (wk), Muthusamy, Jansen, Maharaj, Ngidi, and Rabada. Muthusamy’s
The duel of spinners – Noman vs Maharaj/Muthusamy – could decide the game, especially if Rawalpindi grips later. South Africa’s seamers (Rabada, Ngidi) must exploit any early seam movement, while Pakistan’s pacers aim to replicate Afridi’s old-ball mastery.
#### Key Players to Watch
– **Noman Ali (PAK):** The 40-year-old’s 10-fer was a throwback to Pakistan’s spin heyday. Rawalpindi’s bounce might suit his drift less, but his control remains lethal.
– **Tony de Zorzi (SA):** Series top-scorer with 97 runs at 48.50 average. His composure against spin will be pivotal on potentially grippier days.
– **Shaheen Afridi (PAK):** 5 wickets in Lahore; his reverse swing turned the tide. Expect him to target SA’s tail early.
– **Dewald Brevis (SA):** The 21-year-old’s fearless 54 lit up day four. A big score here could mark his breakout.
#### What’s at Stake?
A Pakistan win would secure a rare home series sweep against a top side, propelling them toward WTC top-two contention in a favorable cycle (upcoming Bangladesh and West Indies tours). It’d also affirm Masood’s experimental pitches as a winning formula, easing pressure post their dismal 2023-25 WTC showing.
For South Africa, a leveler keeps their WTC points ticking (currently 0/2 from Lahore) and builds momentum ahead of a grueling home summer. Markram’s interim leadership faces scrutiny; a strong showing could cement his credentials. As Markram noted post-Lahore, “We focus on controllables” – expect a bolder batting approach if they bat first.
PAK vs SA 2nd Test Match Prediction
Pakistan’s home mojo and spin edge give them a slight nod, but South Africa’s boosted attack and lessons from Lahore could make it a nail-biter.Pakistan has more chances of win..
