LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the coin toss Sunday and elected to bat against world champion South Africa in the opening match of the new World Test Championship cycle for both teams.

South Africa is coming off a 10-match winning streak that saw Temba Bavuma lead the side to the WTC title at Lord’s in a five-wicket victory over Australia in the final.

Bavuma will miss the two-test series due to a calf injury he sustained during the limited-overs series against England, with Aiden Markram stepping in as skipper for the Proteas.

South Africa are also without key left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who is still recovering from a groin injury and is available only for the second test, starting at Rawalpindi from Oct. 20.

South Africa packed its side with three s

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