South Africa confirmed their tour of Pakistan in January-February next year for two Tests and three T20Is. This will be the first time Proteas travel to the Asian nation after 2007 and will land in Karachi on January 16, serving out a period of quarantine before starting the first Test on January 26 at the National Stadium.
The second of the two-Test series, part of the ICC Test Championship, will start on February 4 at Rawalpindi and will subsequently be followed by South Africa's first-ever T20I series in Pakistan, which will see all the three games played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
This confirmation proves to be a big success of Pakistan’s efforts to bring big-name cricket teams to the country and full resumption of top-flight cricket. In the last 15 months, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe have played series on these shores.
"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. As someone who has toured the country on more than one occasion back in my playing days, I know how much passion the people of Pakistan have for the game as well as the love and support that the Proteas enjoy there as a team,” CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said.
PCB Director Zakir Khan said: "The home series against South Africa will complete the process for full resumption and restoration of international cricket in Pakistan, which started in 2015. However, the process got the real shot in the arm in the 2019-2020 season when Pakistan hosted Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Marylebone Cricket Club as well as the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020.”
"2020 has been a challenging year for the world sport, but the PCB has approached the season proactively and strategically while looking at the future. Consequently, we have been able to successfully deliver nearly 60 percent of matches in the 2020-21 season, including an international series against Zimbabwe, who returned home extremely happy and satisfied with the operational and logistical arrangements we had put in place.
"As has been the case in the ongoing season, we will leave no stone unturned in the health and safety of South Africa and Pakistan sides so that players from both sides can play their best cricket in the Test and T20I series and entertain the fans across the globe with their skills."
Tour Itinerary:
26-30 January - 1st Test, Karachi
04-08 February - 2nd Test, Rawalpindi
11 February - 1st T20I, Lahore
13 February - 2nd T20I, Lahore
14 February - 3rd T20I, Lahore
(Cricbuzz inputs)
