Pakistan and South Africa are set to clash in an all-format series for the first time since 2019, beginning with a three-match T20I series on Tuesday at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The tour will also feature three ODIs and two Tests, promising an intense cricketing contest between the two sides.
The T20I series kicks off on December 10, with matches on December 13 and 14 at Centurion’s SuperSport Park and Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium, respectively. The ODI series follows on December 17, 19, and 22. The Test series begins with the Centurion Test on December 26 and concludes with the Cape Town Test starting January 3.
The Pakistan white-ball squad, led by Mohammad Rizwan, arrived in Durban on Friday and has completed two training sessions ahead of the first T20I. The squad features the return of key players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who missed the recent Zimbabwe series.
Also included is rising star Sufiyan Muqeem, who impressed with a stunning five-wicket haul for just three runs in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. Pakistan, fresh from a victorious white-ball tour of Zimbabwe, where they won both the T20 and ODI series, are looking to carry forward their momentum.
Also See: Pakistan vs South Africa Schedule, Upcoming Matches, Dates and Timing
Skipper Rizwan acknowledged the challenges of South African conditions but expressed optimism:
“We have been on the road since last month, and this is our third successive overseas tour, which has made the unit more proactive in terms of preparations and adapting to local conditions. The return of Babar, Naseem, and Shaheen is a big boost, and we’re eager to continue the winning momentum from Zimbabwe,” Rizwan said.
South Africa’s T20I squad, captained by Heinrich Klaasen, reached Durban on Sunday, just a day after the Test team secured a series win over Sri Lanka in Gqeberha. The T20 side includes Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi, two key bowlers who starred in South Africa’s T20 World Cup campaign, helping the team reach the final.
Coach Rob Walter, under pressure due to South Africa’s poor bilateral series record, will hope to turn things around. Despite winning only two of their last seven series, Walter has often had to contend with an incomplete squad. This series sees the likes of Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Kagiso Rabada, and Marco Jansen returning to bolster the team.
Pakistan has dominated recent bilateral T20I series against South Africa, winning 2-1 at home in February 2021 and 3-1 in South Africa in April 2021. Both teams will be eager to assert their dominance in the upcoming series, with Pakistan looking to extend their winning streak and South Africa aiming to bounce back on home soil.
With both teams featuring strong pace attacks and quality spinners, the series is expected to deliver high-intensity cricket. South Africa’s Nortje and Shamsi will face Pakistan’s Shaheen and Muqeem in what promises to be a thrilling battle. Meanwhile, the return of Babar Azam and Aiden Markram adds star power to the batting lineups.
The first T20I in Durban will set the tone for what is shaping up to be an exciting series between two competitive sides.
Pakistan Cricket Schedule (Upcoming Matches / Series) | South Africa Cricket Schedule (Upcoming Matches / Series)
Pakistan T20I squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)
South Africa T20I squad: Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen
Pakistan’s tour of South Africa schedule:
- 10 Dec – First T20I, Durban
- 13 Dec – Second T20I, Centurion
- 14 Dec – Third T20I, Johannesburg
- 17 Dec – First ODI, Paarl
- 19 Dec – Second ODI, Cape Town
- 22 Dec – Third ODI, Johannesburg
- 26-30 Dec – First Test, Centurion
- 3-7 Jan – Second Test, Cape Town