FAISALABAD – International cricket returns to Faisalabad after 17 years as Pakistan hosts South Africa in a three-match PAK vs SA ODI series at Iqbal Stadium. The series begins today, with the remaining matches scheduled for 6 and 8 November at the same venue.
The toss is set for 2:30 pm local time, and the first ball will be bowled at 3 pm. The Iqbal Stadium last hosted an international match on 11 April 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in an ODI. The historic ground has hosted 16 ODIs so far, including four World Cup matches—one in 1987 and three in 1996.
Pakistan has played 12 ODIs at this venue, winning nine and losing three, while South Africa has contested five ODIs here, winning two and losing three. Overall, in all PAK vs SA ODI matches, the two teams have faced each other 87 times, with Pakistan winning 34 matches and South Africa 52. In Pakistan, both sides have an equal record of eight wins each out of 16 encounters.
In Faisalabad specifically, Pakistan and South Africa have met in three ODIs. Pakistan won two of those matches, in 1994 and 2007, while South Africa claimed a victory in 2003. This ODI series follows a competitive Test and T20I series. The two-match Test series ended in a 1-1 draw, while Pakistan won the T20I series 2-1.
Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan in ODIs for the first time. Key players include Babar Azam, who has scored 744 runs in 15 matches, and Shaheen, with 25 wickets in 13 outings.
Pakistan ODI Squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
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Cricket fans in Faisalabad and across Pakistan are eager to witness this historic PAK vs SA ODI series, marking the return of international cricket to the city after nearly two decades.
