Ahead of the highly anticipated 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.
The event marked the official start of preparations for the first Test match, scheduled to begin tomorrow at the Gaddafi Stadium.
During the ceremony, Aiden Markram also visited the NCA museum, where Shan Masood introduced him to Pakistan’s rich cricketing legacy and the historic trophies on display. Masood said every team's first goal is to win the championship, maintaining that playing in home conditions and playing well is always important.
During their respective pre-match press conferences, both captains expressed optimism about their teams’ readiness and determination to perform well in the World Test Championship cycle.
Shan Masood: 'Our focus is on taking 20 wickets to win'
Speaking at his press conference, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood emphasized the importance of a winning start and consistent performances in home conditions. “There was a big gap between Test series after the Bangladesh tour, but this time the PCB has taken excellent steps to close that gap,” he said.
Calling South Africa the “world champion team,” Masood said playing against them is a great opportunity for Pakistan to test their skills and boost confidence. “We can win matches only by taking 20 wickets. Our focus will be on how to achieve that,” he added.
Importance of home series and conditions
Masood underlined the significance of home performances in the World Test Championship, noting that “form in home series is very important if you want to do well in the championship.” He expressed optimism that Pakistan would “start well in this series” and make the most of the next 10 days, which he termed “very important.”
Discussing the Gaddafi Stadium, he said it posed a new challenge since no Test matches have been played there since its reconstruction. “It will be a challenge for both teams,” he noted, emphasizing that Pakistan doesn’t want to prepare flat wickets that lead to drawn matches. "If both teams score 600 runs on a flat wicket, we will not benefit from it," the captain maintained.
Team selection and pitch conditions
Regarding team composition, Shan Masood confirmed that spinner Sajid Khan -- a key bowler -- had been suffering from viral flu, and his participation would depend on the medical team’s advice. “We’ll make a decision after consulting the doctors,” he said.
Masood hinted that the final playing XI would depend on conditions, adding, “Looking at the pitch tomorrow, we could even go with three spinners and one fast bowler.” He also noted that on low-scoring pitches, an individual score of 50 to 60 runs can be decisive.
Aiden Markram: 'We’re ready for Pakistan’s spin challenge'
South Africa’s Test captain Aiden Markram, in his press conference, said his team was well-prepared and excited to begin the series. “Playing on spin-friendly wickets in Pakistan will be a challenge, but we are fully prepared,” he said.
Markram explained that the South African squad had done extensive preparations at home to handle spin. “It’s a great opportunity for us to start the Test Championship well,” he added, expressing confidence in his side’s readiness to compete and win the series.
Respect for Pakistan’s key players
Markram also praised Pakistan captain Babar Azam, calling him “a world-class player who needs no introduction.” He added, “Babar’s wicket will be a big one for us, and we’ll aim to bowl well and take key wickets early.”
When asked about South Africa’s playing XI, Markram said no final decision had been made yet. “Playing in home conditions is always a big advantage, and we respect that. We’ll adapt and give our best,” he concluded.
