ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and South Africa are set to lock horns tonight, Tuesday, October 28, at 8:00 PM local time, in the first T20 International of the three-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, promising an exciting contest as both teams gear up for next year’s T20 World Cup. The spotlight, however, falls firmly on the return of two world-class batters — Babar Azam and Quinton de Kock — whose comebacks add star power and intrigue to the series opener.
For South Africa, De Kock’s return marks the end of a brief T20I hiatus. Although he never formally retired from the format, the wicketkeeper-batter hadn’t featured for the Proteas since last year’s T20 World Cup final. His decision to recommit to international cricket gives South Africa’s batting unit a major boost, especially in the absence of regulars Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and David Miller, the latter ruled out due to injury.
De Kock’s experience at the top of the order and his familiarity with subcontinent conditions will be vital for a side led by Donovan Ferreira, who is captaining the Proteas for the first time.
Pakistan, on the other hand, are welcoming back Babar Azam, whose return to the T20 setup comes after several months away from the format. Having last played T20 cricket during the PSL 2024, Babar was dropped from the national squad earlier this year as head coach Mike Hesson sought to build a more dynamic, aggressive batting unit. However, with Pakistan still struggling to find consistency at the top, his comeback signals both a tactical adjustment and a renewed trust in his experience.
Under Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy, Pakistan are looking to strike the right balance between aggression and stability. The team management has made notable changes since the Asia Cup, recalling fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah while experimenting with new middle-order options such as Abdul Samad and Usman Khan. The absence of Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali suggests a focus on fresh faces and long-term planning.
For South Africa, the bowling attack features a mix of emerging and seasoned talent, including Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, and left-arm pacer Nandre Burger, supported by spinner George Linde and promising leggie Nqabayomzi Peter.
Both teams will view this series as an opportunity to test combinations and refine strategies ahead of next year’s global tournament. Rawalpindi is expected to witness a packed crowd as two evenly matched sides battle for early supremacy in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
