The Pakistan cricket team is set to embark on a comprehensive tour of South Africa from December 10, 2024, to January 7, 2025. This tour includes three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and two Test matches, marking the first all-format series between the two nations since 2019.
T20I Series:
The T20I series will commence on December 10 at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, followed by matches on December 13 at SuperSport Park in Centurion and December 14 at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The matches are scheduled to start at 9:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).
ODI Series:
After the T20Is, the teams will face off in three ODIs on December 17, 19, and 22. The venues for these matches are Boland Park in Paarl, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, and The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, respectively. The ODIs are set to begin at 5:00 PM PKT.
Test Series:
The tour will conclude with a two-match Test series, starting on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion and the second Test on January 3 at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM PKT.
Team Preparations and Key Players:
Pakistan’s T20I squad includes captain Mohammad Rizwan, along with Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who have returned after missing the Zimbabwe series. South Africa’s T20I team will be led by Heinrich Klaasen, with key players like Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi making their returns.
For the Test series, Pakistan has rested Shaheen Afridi to maintain his fitness for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Naseem Shah and Babar Azam have been recalled to strengthen the squad. South Africa’s Test team, aiming for a spot in the World Test Championship final, will feature captain Temba Bavuma, who is recovering from an elbow injury, and seamers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen.
Broadcast Information:
In the United Arab Emirates, fans can watch the matches live on the Sports18 network, with live streaming available on the JioCinema app and website.
This tour presents a significant opportunity for both teams to showcase their talents across all formats, with the added context of South Africa’s pursuit of a place in the World Test Championship final.
