After more than four years, the South African cricket team is expected to play Test matches in Pakistan, with the series likely to begin on October 12. The tour will feature 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 3 T20Is, and the proposed schedule has come to light.
According to details, ahead of the men’s and women’s teams’ tours of Pakistan, a South African delegation is currently in the country to review arrangements. The PCB has prepared the proposed schedule for the men’s series, which will be released once South Africa gives its approval.
As per sources, the first Test will be played from October 12 to 16 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, while the second Test will be hosted by Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24. The ODI series will also begin at the same venue on October 28, with the other two ODIs scheduled for October 31 and November 2 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. If approved, this will mark the return of international cricket to the city after a long gap.
The T20I series is scheduled to start on November 5, with the proposed venue being Multan. The next two T20Is, on November 8 and 9, are planned for Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. However, since the South African delegation did not visit Multan during its trip, hosting a match there might be difficult. The schedule is not final yet and will only be confirmed after discussions between both boards, meaning dates and venues could still change.
Earlier this month, the South African women’s team is also scheduled to play three T20Is in Pakistan. It is worth recalling that the Proteas last toured Pakistan in January–February 2021 under the captaincy of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen where they lost both Tests and also went down 2–1 in the T20I series.
Later, in March this year, South Africa was knocked out by New Zealand in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Previously, in May, the PCB had announced that the first two T20Is against Bangladesh would be played in Faisalabad, marking the return of international cricket to Iqbal Stadium after 17 years. However, due to the rescheduling of PSL matches, the three-match series was eventually held entirely in Lahore.
