Owing to Asia Cup 2025 heartbreak, Pakistan is gearing up for a powerful comeback against the high-stakes series against South Africa. Two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20s are on the list, promising the cricketing world an unmissable action show.
With the first Test kicking off on the 12th of October, Pakistan Cricket Board has gone all out with match officials. With some veteran match officials on the panel, the Men in Green are now ready to put out a spectacular performance on the home soil.
It is more than just icing on the cake for Pakistan fans, for, after such a long gap, their team is returning with the longest format. With some thrilling red-ball excitement lined up on the home front, the first Test match will finally take place in Lahore on October 12 between Pakistan and South Africa. Before this high-voltage showdown, PCB threw a star-studded panel of officials into the mix.
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Veteran Australian umpire Rodney Tucker will stand with Chris Brown of New Zealand on-field in the first Test. Bangladesh’s Saikat Sharfuddoula will take the place of the third umpire, while Pakistan’s Faisal Khan Afridi will be the fourth umpire.
The second Test between Pakistan and South Africa slated to commence on October 20 will see a reshuffle in the officials’ panel. Brown will remain on the field, while Sharfuddoula will join him there. This means Tucker will be shifted to third umpire and Rashid Riaz will make his appearance as the fourth.
After the completion of the Test series, both sides will then resume with an exciting T20I Series, which in turn will welcome fresher sets of match officials. With the first T20I ready to get underway on October 28, the on-field umpires will be Muhammad Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz; Faisal Khan Afridi and Tariq Rasheed will hold the third and fourth umpiring positions.
In respect of the umpiring roles of the second innings, perhaps we shall have to bid farewell to Saikat Sharfuddoula and Asif Yaqoob, with Alex Wharf and Ahsan Raza coming in to fill those spots, being challenged if you will. Sharfuddoula will take up the duties of third umpire, whilst Rashid Riaz will be the fourth.
The third ODI day numerates the eighth of November, with Sharfuddoula playing his role as before, whilst Faisal Khan Afridi would join him as an on-field umpire. Channeling the spirit of harmony and cooperation, England’s Alex Wharf and Rashid Riaz will perform exalted duties as the third and fourth umpires. Ranjan Madugalle from Sri Lanka will be the match referee for both the Test and white-ball series.
The Pakistan and South African sides are on the prowl, with the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle in full flow. Being champion of the last WTC cycle, we should look for the Proteas to continue this glory, whereas the Men in Green should be looking to start this other journey positively.
