Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday (February 12) announced a limited-overs tour by Pakistan to South Africa in April 2021 after Australia pulled out of the Test tour of the country next month.
CSA has confirmed that South Africa will be hosting Pakistan from 2 - 16 April – comprising three One Day Internationals and four T20 Internationals, while thanking the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for agreeing to the tour within a short period of time.
All ODI and T20I games of the upcoming 7-match white-ball series will be played in Johannesburg and Pretoria from 02 April to 16 April 2021 with Pakistan arriving in South Africa on 26 March and will enter a bio-secure environment in Gauteng to quarantine before commencing with inter-squad training.
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After being hit by a financial blow due to Australia’s withdrawal, the white-ball series between South Africa and Pakistan will provide much-needed revenue for CSA in this challenging time.
Graeme Smith, CSA's Director of Cricket, stated: “We are delighted to finally confirm the dates and full schedule for Pakistan's white-ball tour to South Africa. Pakistan has proved their status over the years as one of the most dangerous limited-overs teams and I'm sure they will give the Proteas a stern test on the Highveld.”
The former Proteas captain continued, “We will also have the much-anticipated 'Betway Pink ODI' take place during the tour and that is something further to look forward to for the players, the fans, and all those associated with this iconic day. We are grateful to the PCB for agreeing to our request within a short period of time to increase the length of the trip by adding in a fourth T20, which will give us some much-needed additional international content.”
Meanwhile, PCB’s director of international cricket, Zakir Khan, also confirmed the tour by saying: “We are delighted to help assist our fellow member countries in their plight to survive. We all have a collective responsibility to look after the game and its welfare together as ICC Members.”
Zakir signed off by saying, “South Africa and Pakistan’s relationship is a long-standing and mutually valued one, and it was an easy decision for us to accommodate their request. We’re all looking forward to a successful tour.”
Noteworthy, South Africa is currently playing a three-match T20I series in Pakistan.
Here’s the complete schedule of Pakistan's Tour to South Africa –
April 2: 1st ODI, Pretoria
April 4: 2nd ODI, Johannesburg
April 7: 3rd ODI, Pretoria
April 10: 1st T20, Johannesburg
April 12: 2nd T20, Johannesburg
April 14: 3rd T20, Pretoria
April 16: 4th T20, Pretoria
(With CSA/Reuters Inputs)
