DOHA (Qatar): South Africa will make their first tour of Pakistan in 14 years when they play two Test matches and three Twenty20 internationals in the Asian country in January and February 2021, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday.
The tour will comprise two ICC World Test Championship fixtures and three Twenty20 Internationals.
This will be South Africa team’s first tour to Pakistan in 14 years.
“South Africa confirming a tour to Pakistan and playing matches at the three major centres is a fabulous news for Pakistan cricket and its fans. South Africa is one of the most popular sides in Pakistan even though they last played here in 2007, but the fans have been following their performances closely and now look forward to welcoming them,” said Zakir Khan, PCB Director – International.
South Africa will arrive in Karachi on 16 January and will play the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi from 26-30 January.
They will then travel to Rawalpindi where the second Test will be held from 4-8 February.
The iconic Gaddafi Stadium will be the venue of the three T20Is, scheduled for 11, 13 and 14 February.
Upon arrival in Karachi and in the lead up to the first Test, South Africa will observe an isolation period following which they will hold training sessions and play intra-squad practice matches.
This will be South Africa’s first visit to Pakistan since the 2007 tour when they won the Karachi Test by 160 runs to clinch the series 1-0. The subsequent series in 2010 and 2013 were played in the United Arab Emirates.
CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said: “It’s pleasing to see so many countries making a return to Pakistan – a proud, cricket-loving nation. Cricket South Africa is delighted to be counted among them.”
Since 1995, the two sides have played 11 Test series with South Africa winning seven and Pakistan one in 2003. In this background, Babar Azam’s side will be determined to end the 18-year series win drought and move up in the ICC World Test Championship ladder.
South Africa is ranked sixth while Pakistan is seventh in ICC Test team rankings.
