Lahore, October 11, 2025 — Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has emphasized the importance of capitalizing on home conditions to start the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle on a winning note.
Speaking ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium, Masood said every team tailors pitches to its strengths, and Pakistan must do the same to gain maximum advantage.
Masood stated that performing well in home series and securing occasional away victories are essential to climb the WTC standings. However, he acknowledged the challenge of predicting how the newly laid Gaddafi Stadium pitch will behave over five days. “We want to play positive cricket and avoid flat tracks that lead to dull draws,” Masood said, stressing that the goal is to take 20 wickets and move away from the tradition of lifeless home pitches.
Reflecting on his previous WTC campaign, Masood defended his performance, noting that individual efforts often get overshadowed by the team’s collective results. He added that players have been given specific performance targets, and their progress will be reviewed after the series.
Regarding squad composition, Masood explained that Faisal Akram and Aamer Jamal were released to play first-class cricket to maintain form, though they remain part of the team setup. On team selection, Masood hinted at a balanced attack with two pacers and two spinners, while confirming that Asif Afridi could debut depending on fitness updates and medical advice.
With renewed focus and a strategic mindset, Masood aims to lead Pakistan to a strong start in their home Test season.