Pakistan vs South Africa 2025: Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report and Lahore Weather Forecast for the first Test

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The stage is set for a high-stakes encounter as Pakistan face the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa, in the first Test of the two-match series, starting October 12 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan will be looking for a fresh start in the new WTC cycle, while the Proteas, led by Aiden Markram, will aim to continue their sensational winning run in the longest format of the game.

The pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium is expected to be a great batting surface early on, offering true bounce and value for shots. However, the wicket is projected to slow down significantly as the match progresses, leading to considerable wear and tear that will make chasing a formidable task. This deterioration will bring the spinners into play aggressively from Day 3 onward, creating rough patches for them to exploit. Given these conditions, the toss becomes a crucial factor, with the captain winning it strongly recommended to bat first and put runs on the board before the surface becomes too difficult. With South Africa possessing a strong pace attack and Pakistan relying on its spin options, the surface will be keenly watched to see which phase of the match dominates.

The weather in Lahore is predicted to be stable, sunny, and dry throughout the five days of the Test match, providing nearly ideal conditions for uninterrupted play. There is no threat of rain and a consistent high temperature around 31∘C. Morning sessions will feature clear skies but with temperatures dipping to around 19∘C, providing comfortable conditions for the first hour of play. The overall weather guarantees the full quota of overs can be bowled. Here’s a detailed day-wise forecast: