Game on: Pakistan ready to take on South Africa

Pakistan and South Africa’s cricket teams continued their intense training sessions at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Friday, ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series. Both teams practiced for nearly three hours, focusing on batting, bowling, and fielding drills.

The Pakistan team trained from 1 pm to 4 pm, with fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and others in full rhythm during the session. Shaheen was also given extended batting practice, where he impressed with powerful shots during the net session.

Batting coach Imran Farhat supervised captain Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, and other batters, offering valuable tips to refine their technique and improve consistency.

T20I captain Salman Ali Agha joined the Test camp for the first time and participated actively in the training session. Spin bowling coach Abdul Rehman worked closely with Asif Afridi and Noman Ali, carefully analyzing their performances and highlighting areas for improvement.

Wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir had a separate catching practice session with club players. Head coach Azhar Mahmood, along with the coaching staff, closely observed the players’ performances, conducting various drills with a strong emphasis on fitness. The fielding coach also focused on enhancing players’ catching and throwing accuracy.

South Africa’s players trained with equal intensity, spending three hours at the stadium. Captain Aiden Markram, David Bedingham, and Dewald Brevis showcased their batting skills in the nets, while pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen worked on pace, line, and length. The Proteas spinners also practiced extensively to adapt to the turning tracks expected in Lahore.

The first Test match between Pakistan and South Africa will begin on October 12 at Gaddafi Stadium. Both teams are training at Gaddafi Stadium from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, followed by pre-match press conferences by both captains.