The South African cricket team is set to make a significant return to Pakistan for a One Day International (ODI) series, marking their first encounter in the 50-over format on Pakistani soil in 18 years. This ODI leg concludes a comprehensive tour for the Proteas, which previously included a Test series and a T20I series. The Proteas recently drew the two-match Test series 1-1 and then faced a 1-2 defeat in the T20 International matches against Pakistan.
The upcoming three-match ODI series will commence on November 4th, with subsequent matches scheduled for November 6th and 8th. All contests are slated to be held at the historic Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, a venue that will host international cricket after a 17-year hiatus. This series holds particular historical significance as it represents South Africa’s first ODI engagement in Pakistan since 2007, when they participated in a five-match series and emerged victorious with a 3-2 win.
South Africa’s last visit for ODIs predates their recent tour for Tests and T20Is in late 2020. That earlier trip marked the return of international cricket to Pakistan after a prolonged absence, but it did not feature any ODI matches. The Pakistan team is expected to field a formidable squad, boosted by the return of key players like Fakhar Zaman, who missed the T20I series, and the potent pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. Conversely, South Africa will be led by a squad that isn’t their primary selection, with Matthew Breetzke captaining the side and Quinton de Kock returning to the ODI fold. This squad composition is similar to the team that participated in a tri-series in Pakistan earlier in the year.
