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Pakistan vs South Africa 1st Test Predictions - Rizwan to tough it out against Proteas attack

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 09 Oct 2025

Simon Lewis 09 Oct 2025

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Mohammad Rizwan was the best batter in Pakistan's last Test against the West Indies (49 & 25).
Kagiso Rabada took 5/51 & 4/59 against Australia in the WTC final.
Can Pakistan beat South Africa after losing 2-0 in their last series?

Expired

Mohammad Rizwan sweeps against the West Indies. (credit: Aamir Qureshi/Getty Images)

Pakistan vs South Africa 1st Test Predictions

Pakistan have a full strength squad, while South Africa (who have a poor record on the sub-continent) are without a key batter and spinner. The SA squad is likely to be bowler heavy, risking a long tail in tricky batting conditions. South Africa have a talented squad but I can’t see them winning this Test.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan has scored 30, 60*, 85 & 39 in his last 4 innings.
Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel has scored two 50s and a century in his last 5 Tests.
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada has taken 37 Test wickets in the last 12 months.
South Africa’s Aiden Markram has scored 82, 86, 49, 28 & 41 in his last 8 innings.

Head-to-Head

South Africa have won three and lost two of their last five Tests against Pakistan.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan suffered their third defeat in five Tests when they lost to the West Indies at home by 120 runs to share the series 1-1.

Pakistan had the West Indies reeling at 54/8 thanks to inspired bowling by Noman Ali (6/41), but they recovered to post 163. Saud Shakeel (32 off 62) and Mohammad Rizwan (49 off 75) were the only batters to pass 16 as Pakistan collapsed to 154 all out.

Sajid Khan (4/76) and Noman Ali (4/80) starred with the ball as the West Indies posted a more competitive score of 244 in their second dig. Babar Azam (31 off 67) and Mohammad Rizwan (25 off 62) were the only Pakistan batters to reach 20 as they folded again, this time bowled out for 133 to suffer a 120-run loss.

Pakistan Team News

Pakistan have a strong, well-balanced squad and will have a quality spin attack waiting to test the Proteas.

South Africa Form

South Africa made it five wins from their last five Tests when they beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 236 runs to take the two-Test series 2-0.

On a benign pitch, all-rounder and stand-in skipped Wiaan Mulder (batting at three) scored a South African record Test score of 367* off just 334. It was an innings of remarkable concentration and application, backed by David Bedingham (82) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78). The Proteas declared on 626/5 off 114 overs.

Zimbabwe offered little resistance, being bowled out for 170 (Prenelan Subrayen taking 4/42) and 220 (Corbin Bosch taking 4/38) to secure the innings and 236-run win in just three days.

South Africa Team News

South Africa are without skipper and top batter Temba Bavuma for this series. Kesh Maharaj will also miss the 1st Test.

Verdict

Pakistan v South Africa

I am backing Pakistan to win. I am also backing Mohammad Rizwan to be named Player of the Match.

Kagiso Rabada is a good bet to take five-plus wickets for South Africa.

Pakistan to Win

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