🇵🇰🔥 Imran Farhat Gets Major Role in Pakistan’s Test Setup for South Africa Series 2025
🏟️ A Fresh Start for Pakistan Cricket Under New Coaching Vision
Pakistan cricket is entering an exciting new chapter as former opening batter Imran Farhat steps into the national team’s support staff as batting coach for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the move as part of a revamped red-ball management structure aimed at injecting fresh energy and technical expertise into the setup.
This series, starting October 12, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, is more than just another home assignment — it marks Pakistan’s opening campaign of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.
🧠 The New Look Coaching Staff
👨🏫 Azhar Mehmood Takes the Helm
Leading the setup will be Azhar Mehmood, the former Pakistan all-rounder renowned for his tactical acumen and international coaching experience. After impressive stints in T20 leagues and interim coaching roles, Azhar now faces his biggest challenge — rebuilding Pakistan’s Test unit.
His appointment signals PCB’s intent to create continuity and accountability within the red-ball environment.
🏏 Imran Farhat — The Batting Brain
Imran Farhat, a stylish left-hander from Pakistan’s early 2000s era, brings a blend of experience and technical discipline. Known for his solid front-foot play and temperament against pace and spin alike, Farhat’s addition could reshape Pakistan’s top order mindset — a department often criticized for inconsistency.
Having transitioned smoothly into coaching after retirement, Farhat has previously worked with domestic sides like Balochistan and Pakistan A, where he earned praise for developing young batters like Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel.
His analytical approach to shot selection, patience, and adaptability in Asian conditions makes him an ideal mentor for emerging players preparing to face a high-quality South African attack.
🌀 Other Key Staff Members
- Abdul Rehman – Spin bowling coach, respected for his tactical field placements and work with young spinners.
- Abdul Majeed – Fielding coach, known for his sharp focus on agility and reflexes.
- Grant Luden – Strength & conditioning coach, ensuring peak physical performance.
- Talha Butt – Performance analyst, providing deep data-driven insights.
- Cliffe Deacon – Physiotherapist, responsible for player recovery and wellness.
Together, this group represents a modern, performance-oriented management unit — one focused on results, not reputations.
🇿🇦⚔️ South Africa’s Return to Pakistan — A High-Stakes Clash
This series is special for multiple reasons. It marks South Africa’s first Test tour to Pakistan since 2021, when they lost 2–0 under Babar Azam’s captaincy. Four years later, Pakistan will again look to defend their fortress — this time with a fresh philosophy and new faces in the dugout.
The two-match series schedule:
- 1st Test: Oct 12–16, 2025 — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 2nd Test: Oct 20–24, 2025 — Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Both venues are expected to draw massive crowds as fans eagerly await Pakistan’s red-ball revival.
🧩 Why Imran Farhat’s Appointment Matters
🎯 A Technical Voice for Pakistan’s Inconsistent Batting
In recent years, Pakistan’s batting lineup has struggled with shot selection under pressure, collapse patterns, and lack of partnerships in middle overs. Farhat’s appointment is designed to address those very pain points.
His coaching philosophy emphasizes:
- Patience in building innings rather than aggression for its own sake.
- Playing late against pace to counter bounce and seam movement.
- Footwork discipline vs spin, especially crucial against South Africa’s left-armers and part-timers.
🧱 Building Mental Toughness
Farhat has always spoken about the “mental battle” of Test cricket — something Pakistan has often lost despite having the skill. Under his guidance, batters like Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Saud Shakeel may develop more resilience to grind through long sessions.
🧬 Azhar Mehmood’s Vision — Blending Youth and Experience
Azhar’s plan revolves around developing all-format adaptability while respecting the traditional Test structure. His approach to man-management, seen during his T20 coaching days, focuses on open communication, trust, and fitness-driven accountability.
He aims to integrate data analysis with instinctive cricket intelligence — a blend that can redefine Pakistan’s Test identity.
📊 Historical Context — Pakistan vs South Africa in Tests
- Matches Played: 30
- Pakistan Wins: 6
- South Africa Wins: 17
- Draws: 7
While South Africa have historically dominated, Pakistan’s home advantage and spin-friendly conditions have helped them turn the tide in recent encounters.
Their last series in 2021 was decisive — Pakistan’s 2–0 win broke a 17-year drought of Test series victories over South Africa.
Now, under Azhar and Farhat, the Men in Green will look to extend that streak.
💬 Imran Farhat’s Likely Impact Players
🧒 Abdullah Shafique — The Calm Opener
Farhat’s own style was similar to Abdullah’s — composed and technically correct. Expect him to help Abdullah develop strategies against the new ball swing and enhance his strike rotation.
💪 Saud Shakeel — The Backbone of Middle Order
Saud’s temperament and Farhat’s mentorship could create a perfect partnership. Both share a belief in batting deep and valuing every run.
🧠 Babar Azam — Tactical Reinforcement
Even though Babar needs little technical coaching, Farhat’s insights could help him fine-tune his shot selection in long innings — something that has cost him centuries in the past.
⚙️ Inside PCB’s Strategic Approach
The PCB’s decision to appoint former cricketers with domestic coaching experience rather than outsiders signals a long-term investment in homegrown expertise.
It also aligns with Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s vision to:
- Build continuity in coaching appointments.
- Reward domestic coaching success.
- Develop a pipeline of professional Pakistani coaches capable of handling international pressure.
🌍 ICC World Test Championship 2025–27: The Road Ahead
Pakistan’s Test season begins with South Africa and will continue with:
- Australia (Away) early 2026
- Sri Lanka (Home) mid-2026
- India (Neutral Venue, TBC) late 2026
Every win in this new cycle matters. With Farhat and Mehmood steering the ship, Pakistan hopes to make a serious push for the WTC Final — a feat they narrowly missed in 2023.
📸 Behind the Scenes: The Support Network
The new management isn’t just about coaching — it’s a team behind the team.
- Grant Luden will oversee endurance programs to prevent mid-series fatigue.
- Cliffe Deacon, the physio, is tasked with minimizing injuries.
- Talha Butt, the analyst, is already working on AI-assisted data models to study opposition bowlers.
This data-first approach is the most advanced Pakistan has ever implemented for Test preparation.
🏆 South Africa’s Challenge
Led by Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s squad will feature fiery pacers like Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee. Facing them in Asian conditions will test Pakistan’s batting resolve — exactly why Farhat’s inclusion is so timely.
Expect slow, low pitches in Lahore and Rawalpindi to assist Pakistan’s spinners and nullify South Africa’s pace advantage.
📢 Fan Reactions & Social Buzz 💬
The announcement of Imran Farhat’s appointment has set social media abuzz:
- Some fans celebrated it as “a move towards technical revival”.
- Others expressed hope that local coaches finally get long-term backing.
Twitter hashtags like #ImranFarhat, #PakistanVsSouthAfrica, and #AzharMehmood trended within hours of the PCB announcement.
🔥 What This Series Means for Pakistan
- A chance to start WTC 2025–27 strong.
- Test the new coaching combination.
- Build bench strength for the future.
- Reignite fan confidence in Test cricket.
Every performance in this series will shape Pakistan’s red-ball direction — and potentially, their entire cricketing philosophy for the next few years.
🧩 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
🧠 Tactical Depth: A New Identity in the Making
This series isn’t just about Pakistan versus South Africa — it’s about Pakistan redefining how it plays Test cricket.
With Azhar Mehmood’s structure-driven leadership and Imran Farhat’s technical precision, Pakistan is building a culture around data-informed decisions, mental toughness, and situational awareness.
Farhat’s arrival is not just a “coaching appointment.” It’s a statement of intent — Pakistan wants batting stability in home conditions and composure abroad. His calm, disciplined coaching method will likely push players like Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel to play the kind of long, grinding innings that win Test matches.
Meanwhile, Azhar’s emphasis on “ownership” — where players take accountability for their preparation and shot selection — could bridge the historic gap between talent and temperament in Pakistani cricket.
📈 South Africa’s Strength vs Pakistan’s Plan
South Africa’s fast-bowling trio — Rabada, Jansen, and Coetzee — thrive on bounce and aggression. But in Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s plan will likely focus on:
- Tiring them out with long partnerships.
- Forcing shorter spells using calculated rotation of strike.
- Letting spin dominate in the middle overs.
If the pitches turn from Day 3 onwards, spinners like Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali could become decisive — especially under the tactical guidance of Abdul Rehman.
🧩 Pakistan’s Red-Ball Strategy — A Three-Point Blueprint
- Mental Resilience: Build innings session by session.
- Technical Consistency: Use domestic-style preparation for each Test venue.
- Leadership Continuity: Let Azhar Mehmood and Farhat stay through the WTC cycle for long-term development.
This framework could finally bring the stability and identity Pakistan cricket has lacked since Misbah’s retirement.
💬 Cricketory Takeaway
If implemented correctly, the Azhar-Farhat duo could mark the beginning of a golden phase for Pakistan’s Test cricket.
The focus on homegrown expertise, mental discipline, and team harmony aligns perfectly with modern Test demands.
It’s not about flashy starts — it’s about sustainable excellence.
💬 Expert View
Cricket analysts believe this combination of Azhar Mehmood and Imran Farhat offers a balance between modern analytics and traditional cricket wisdom.
Farhat’s straightforward nature and technical honesty could provide the batting lineup with clarity and confidence, especially for players who tend to overthink under pressure.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Pakistan’s 2025 home season begins with optimism. With Imran Farhat guiding the batters, Azhar Mehmood strategizing from the top, and Abdul Rehman sharpening the spinners, Pakistan’s red-ball future looks structured and confident.
As Lahore prepares to host South Africa after four years, one thing is certain — this isn’t the same Pakistan side that once lacked direction.
This is a rebuilt, refocused team, ready to write a new chapter in its Test legacy.
❓ FAQs — Pakistan vs South Africa Test Series 2025
1️⃣ Who is Pakistan’s new batting coach for the South Africa Test series 2025?
👉 Imran Farhat, former Pakistan opener, has been appointed as the batting coach for the two-match Test series against South Africa.
2️⃣ Who is leading Pakistan’s red-ball team as head coach?
👉 Azhar Mehmood, ex-allrounder and seasoned coach, is the new head coach of Pakistan’s red-ball team for the 2025–27 WTC cycle.
3️⃣ When will the Pakistan vs South Africa Test series 2025 start?
👉 The first Test begins on October 12, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, followed by the second Test on October 20 in Rawalpindi.
4️⃣ Why is Imran Farhat’s appointment important?
👉 Farhat brings technical depth, batting patience, and mental conditioning, addressing Pakistan’s long-standing issues with consistency in Test innings.
5️⃣ What is Pakistan’s long-term goal for the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27?
👉 Pakistan aims to finish in the top three and push for a WTC Final berth, using this home series to build momentum under the new coaching staff.
6️⃣ Who are the key players to watch in the series?
👉 Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, and Abrar Ahmed are expected to be pivotal for Pakistan, while Rabada, Jansen, and Bavuma lead South Africa’s charge.
7️⃣ Where can fans follow live updates and expert analysis?
👉 Follow Cricketory for live match coverage, tactical breakdowns, and exclusive post-Test insights.
📊 Quick Recap
| 🧩 Aspect | 🇵🇰 Pakistan Focus |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Azhar Mehmood |
| Batting Coach | Imran Farhat |
| Spin Coach | Abdul Rehman |
| Fielding Coach | Abdul Majeed |
| 1st Test | Oct 12–16, 2025 (Lahore) |
| 2nd Test | Oct 20–24, 2025 (Rawalpindi) |
| Opponent | South Africa |
| WTC Cycle | 2025–27 |
| Key Players | Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel |