The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially disclosed the comprehensive schedule for its upcoming tour to South Africa, encompassing a riveting lineup of three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests slated for the latter half of 2024.
Marking the commencement of the tour, Durban, Centurion, and Johannesburg are set to host the exhilarating T20I series, scheduled from the 10th to the 14th of December. Following this, cricket enthusiasts can anticipate a flurry of action-packed ODIs, scheduled from the 17th to the 22nd of December across Paarl, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. The tour’s pinnacle will be the two highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 matches, slated for Centurion (26th to 30th December) and Cape Town (3rd to 7th January).
With departure set for Durban on the 2nd of December, the Pakistani team will transition from their Australian endeavors, which will conclude on the 19th of November. Notably, this preceding series in Australia encompasses three ODIs and three T20Is, running from the 4th to the 18th of November. Upon the culmination of their African expedition on the 8th of January, the national squad will engage in a compelling showdown against New Zealand and South Africa in a three-nation ODI tournament on home soil, followed by the eagerly awaited eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to unfold in Pakistan.
Preceding their tours to Australia and South Africa, Pakistan will host Bangladesh and England for two and three Tests, respectively, amplifying the cricketing fervor. This robust itinerary underscores Pakistan’s commitment to cricketing excellence, encompassing seven Tests, a minimum of 10 ODIs, and six T20Is within the dynamic six-month period from August 2024 to January 2025.
This impending tour to South Africa holds particular significance as Pakistan embarks on its seventh Test tour of the nation since 1994-95. Recollecting memorable triumphs, Pakistan clinched victories in the 1997-98 and 2006-2007 series, notably highlighted by standout performances such as Azhar Mahmood’s century, Saeed Anwar’s stellar contribution, and remarkable bowling feats by Mushtaq Ahmed and Shoaib Akhtar.
In the realm of ODIs, the historical narrative between Pakistan and South Africa unfolds, with Pakistan securing victories in two of the last three series. However, South Africa’s formidable presence is evident through their triumphs in preceding encounters, setting the stage for an enthralling showdown.
In T20Is, the head-to-head statistics reflect a closely contested rivalry, with Pakistan maintaining a slender lead of 6-5 over South Africa, further heightening anticipation for their upcoming encounters.
