Cricket South Africa has confirmed that the Proteas will travel to Pakistan for their first tour since 2007.
The trip will consist of a two-match Test and a three-match T20 series across three venues in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore respectively.
The tour is scheduled to run from 26 January to 14 February 2021, with the team arriving in Karachi on 16 January.
Upon arrival, the Proteas squad will go into quarantine before commencing with training and inter-squad practice matches.
Proteas tour to Pakistan confirmed
The Test series will form part of the ICC World Test Championship. The first match will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi before the teams travel to Rawalpindi for the second Test fixture which will take place from 4-8 February.
The three T20 matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in what will be South Africa’s first-ever T20 series in Pakistan.
Pakistan were forced to host the previous two T20 international series played against the Proteas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The last time the two teams met in Pakistan was in 2007 when South Africa beat the hosts 1-0 in a two-match Test series.
Our Proteas will become the fourth international team to tour Pakistan in the last 15 months after Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
International cricket returning to Pakistan
“It’s pleasing to see so many countries making a return to Pakistan – a proud, cricket-loving nation,” CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said.
“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.
“I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the hospitality and transparency they showed our security contingent when they travelled over there a few weeks ago. The report on their findings and recommendations gives us confidence as an organization that all of our team’s security, playing and accommodation needs will be met, and that the wellbeing of the team will be the top priority. We look forward to embarking on this historical tour.”
Pakistan are thrilled to welcome international cricket back to their country after long absences for the bulk of the ICC member nations.
“South Africa confirming a tour to Pakistan and playing matches at the three major centres is a fabulous news for Pakistan cricket and its fans,” PCB Director – International, Zakir Khan commented.
“South Africa is one of the most popular sides in Pakistan even though they last played here in 2007, but the fans have been following their performances closely and now look forward to welcoming them.
“Cricket South Africa and its players have a special bonding with Pakistan as a number of their star players visited Lahore with the ICC World XI in 2017 and have appeared in the HBL Pakistan Super League with Faf du Plessis being the latest addition after featuring in the playoffs in Karachi.
“2021 promises to be a bumper and most exciting year for Pakistan cricket fans after a very long time. After South Africa, we are scheduled to host New Zealand, England and the West Indies, while our away series are against South Africa, Zimbabwe, England, Afghanistan and the West Indies.
“If these high-profile and exciting series are topped up with the Asia Cup 2021 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan cricket fans can brace themselves for an exciting and action-packed year.
“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.
Challenging year
“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 per cent 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.”
South Africa Tour to Pakistan – 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
