PAK vs SA Head-to-Head Record & Stats: Pakistan will face South Africa in the 1st Test of the South Africa Tour of Pakistan 2025 series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, starting October 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM IST.
Pakistan return to red-ball cricket after a nine-month break, while South Africa enters this series as ICC Test Champions after defeating Australia at Lord’s.
Let’s take a look at the PAK vs SA Head-to-Head record, recent form, and key stats before this much-anticipated Test clash.
PAK vs SA Head-to-Head in Test
| Matches Played | PAK Won | RSA Won | Draw | First Test | Most Recent Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 6 | 17 | 7 | January 1995 (RSA Won) | January 2025 (RSA Won) |
South Africa dominates this rivalry, winning 17 out of 30 matches. Pakistan have won only six, but three of those came at home.
Pakistan – Recent Performance (Last 5 Tests)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Margin | Score (PAK – Opp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jan 25 | WI | Lost | 120 runs | 154/10 – 274/10 |
| 17 Jan 25 | WI | Won | 127 runs | 230/10 – 123/10 |
| 03 Jan 25 | SA | Lost | 10 wickets | 150/8 – 301/10 |
| 26 Dec 24 | RSA | Lost | 2 wickets | 344/10 – 350/8 |
| 24 Oct 24 | ENG | Won | 9 wickets | 150/8 – 37/1 |
South Africa – Recent Performance (Last 5 Tests)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Margin | Score (RSA – Opp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Jul 25 | ZIM | Won | Innings & 236 runs | 406/10 – 170/10 |
| 28 Jun 25 | ZIM | Won | 328 runs | 251/10 – 170/10 |
| 11 Jun 25 | AUS | Won | 5 wickets | 315/9 – 282/5 |
| 03 Jan 25 | PAK | Won | 10 wickets | 615/10 – 154/10 |
| 26 Dec 24 | PAK | Won | 2 wickets | 301/10 – 344/10 |
Key Players: Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, David Bedingham
Pakistan vs South Africa Key Player Battles
Babar Azam vs Kagiso Rabada:
- Babar Azam, Pakistan’s top batsman, will face Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s fast and fiery bowler. It will be exciting to see how Babar’s calm and skilful batting stands against Rabada’s speed and bounce.
Shaheen Afridi vs Aiden Markram:
- Shaheen Afridi will try to swing the new ball early and trouble South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram. Markram’s good technique and focus will be tested by Shaheen’s sharp deliveries.
Mohammad Rizwan vs Marco Jansen:
- Mohammad Rizwan is known for his fighting spirit, and he’ll look to play smart against the tall left-arm bowler Marco Jansen. This battle could be important for Pakistan to build big runs in the lower order.
PAK vs SA 1st Test Match Prediction
Pakistan will rely on its spinners and top order to counter South Africa’s fast bowling attack. However, South Africa’s form and depth give it a clear advantage.
Prediction: South Africa will win the first Test and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
