Cricket Series
Pakistan and South Africa are all set to renew their cricket rivalry in an exciting all-format series, the first between the two nations since 2019. The series kicks off with the first of three T20Is on Tuesday, December 10, at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
The second and third T20 matches are slated for December 13 and 14, taking place at SuperSport Park in Centurion and The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, respectively.
The series will then transition to ODIs, scheduled for December 17, 19, and 22, followed by a two-Test showdown, with the first Test beginning in Centurion on December 26 and the second starting in Cape Town on January 3.
Pakistan’s white-ball squad, led by Mohammad Rizwan, arrived in Durban on Friday and has already conducted two practice sessions, according to a press release issued on Monday.
The T20I squad features the return of key players, including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were absent during the recent series against Zimbabwe. Rising star Sufiyan Muqeem, who delivered an outstanding performance with five wickets for three runs in Zimbabwe, also made the squad.
Rizwan expressed confidence in his team, emphasizing their readiness after consecutive overseas tours. He welcomed the inclusion of experienced players like Babar, Naseem, and Shaheen, noting their importance in tackling South Africa’s challenging conditions. “The wickets here will test us, but our pacers are likely to benefit as well. We’re eager to carry forward our winning momentum from Zimbabwe,” Rizwan said.
Pakistan’s T20I squad comes into this series on the back of mixed results. They swept both the ODI and T20 series in Zimbabwe but faced a tough outing in Australia, losing all three T20 matches before claiming a 2-1 ODI series victory.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s preparations are also in full swing. Their Test team recently secured a victory against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha, while their T20 squad, led by Heinrich Klaasen, arrived in Durban on Sunday.
Klaasen will lead a side that includes several key players, such as Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi, who played pivotal roles in South Africa’s journey to the T20 World Cup final earlier this year.
Despite South Africa’s success at the World Cup, white-ball coach Rob Walter is under pressure due to the team’s poor bilateral series record, with five losses and two draws in their last seven series.
He has rarely had the opportunity to field a full-strength side, a challenge that persists as several top players, including Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada, are unavailable for this series.
Pakistan holds the upper hand in recent bilateral encounters, having won the last two T20I series against South Africa, both at home and away, in 2021.
The tour schedule includes:
- T20Is: December 10 (Durban), December 13 (Centurion), December 14 (Johannesburg)
- ODIs: December 17 (Paarl), December 19 (Cape Town), December 22 (Johannesburg)
- Tests: December 26-30 (Centurion), January 3-7 (Cape Town)
This series promises an exciting contest as both teams look to assert dominance in all formats of the game.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
