Captains Unveil Trophy; Pakistan to Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Cricket fans are set for an exciting contest as Pakistan and South Africa begin their three-match T20 International series on Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Captains Agha Salman and Donovan Ferreira jointly unveiled the series trophy at a ceremony held in Islamabad, marking the official start of the much-anticipated tour.
As part of a breast cancer awareness campaign, the Pakistan team will don special pink kits for the opening match. The initiative, launched in collaboration with Pink Ribbon Pakistan, aims to promote awareness about the disease and support ongoing health advocacy efforts.
The remaining two T20Is will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 31 and November 1, followed by a three-match ODI series at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on November 4, 6, and 8. The toss for all T20 matches will take place at 7:30 pm, with the first ball scheduled for 8:00 pm local time.
Head-to-Head Record and Players to Watch
Pakistan and South Africa have met 24 times in T20Is, with both sides winning 12 matches each, reflecting a well-balanced rivalry. On home soil, Pakistan hold a slight edge, winning two out of three encounters played in the country.
Among current squad members, Babar Azam has been the most prolific performer for Pakistan against South Africa, amassing 447 runs in 13 innings, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken 13 wickets in 12 matches. Babar, who has featured in 128 T20Is, needs just eight more runs to become the leading run-scorer in T20I cricket history.
Speaking to PCB Digital, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expressed optimism about his team’s prospects. “We have a very exciting squad with a mix of experience and new talent. Our goal is to execute our plans consistently and deliver strong performances against a quality side like South Africa,” he said.
Pakistan’s 15-Member T20I Squad
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq.
Series Schedule
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October 28: First T20I – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
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October 31: Second T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
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November 1: Third T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
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November 4: First ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
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November 6: Second ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
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November 8: Third ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
With both sides evenly matched and Pakistan set to play in front of home fans, the T20 series promises to deliver thrilling cricket and support a meaningful cause.
