Cricket fans in Pakistan are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the South African ODI squad for a series that breaks an 18-year drought. This marks the Proteas’ first One Day International engagement in Pakistan since 2007, concluding a lengthy tour that has already seen Test and T20I contests. The Proteas secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the Test matches and subsequently lost the T20I series by a margin of 1-2.
The pivotal ODI series is scheduled to unfold with three matches on November 4th, 6th, and 8th. The venerable Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad has been chosen as the sole venue for these encounters. This stadium holds a special place in cricketing history, hosting its first international fixture in 17 years. While the stakes might seem less defined compared to previous formats, the historical weight of this ODI series for South Africa cannot be overstated. Their last ODI tour to Pakistan in 2007 saw them clinch a thrilling five-match series 3-2.
It’s important to note that South Africa’s last international visit to Pakistan in late 2020, which included Test and T20I matches, did not feature any ODI fixtures. That tour was significant as it represented a major step in the resumption of international cricket within Pakistan. For the upcoming ODIs, Pakistan will be at full strength, welcoming back star opener Fakhar Zaman and their formidable pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. South Africa, however, will be without their first-choice ODI contingent, with Matthew Breetzke stepping in as captain and Quinton de Kock making a return to the 50-over format. The selected squad closely mirrors the one that featured in a recent tri-series.