The wait for ODI cricket between South Africa and Pakistan is finally over, with the Proteas set to compete in a 50-over series on Pakistani soil for the first time in 18 years. This ODI chapter brings to a close a comprehensive tour that has already witnessed Test and T20I encounters. The Test series concluded in a 1-1 stalemate, while Pakistan secured a 2-1 victory in the T20I rubber.
The series of three ODIs will be played on November 4th, 6th, and 8th, all hosted at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. This venue is set to make its international comeback after a 17-year absence. The historical context is paramount, as South Africa’s last ODI tour to Pakistan was in 2007. That tour was a tightly contested affair, with the Proteas ultimately winning the five-match series 3-2. This upcoming series signifies a long-awaited return to ODI action for both nations in Pakistan.
It’s notable that South Africa’s last visit for international cricket in late 2020, which included Test and T20I matches, did not feature any ODI fixtures. That tour was a landmark event for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan. Pakistan’s squad for the ODIs is bolstered by the return of key players, including the dynamic Fakhar Zaman and the formidable pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. South Africa’s squad, led by captain Matthew Breetzke, will see Quinton de Kock returning to the ODI format. The composition of the Proteas squad is similar to the team that competed in a recent tri-series.