Faisalabad: Pakistan will resume international cricket in Faisalabad after a 17-year hiatus as it hosts South Africa in a three-match One Day International (ODI) series starting Tuesday. All matches will take place at Iqbal Stadium, with the first ODI scheduled for November 4, followed by games on November 6 and November 8. The stadium last hosted an international match in April 2008, when Pakistan faced Bangladesh. Historically, Pakistan has played 12 ODIs at Iqbal Stadium, winning nine, while South Africa has appeared in five matches there, winning two.
Teams Enter Series on Mixed Form
Both sides recently completed Test and T20I series, with the Test contests ending in a draw and Pakistan securing the T20 series 2-1. Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain Pakistan in ODIs for the first time, describing the role as an honor and promising to fulfill his responsibilities diligently. Moreover, he expressed optimism about Pakistan’s prospects against South Africa, noting the team’s strong performance in the T20 series. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of focusing on each game to maintain consistency and achieve success.
Stars and Strategy
Shah Afridi highlighted the significance of senior players’ performances, citing Babar Azam’s confidence boost from the final T20 innings despite previous setbacks. He stressed that the team’s success hinges on consistent contributions from experienced players. Pakistan and South Africa have contested 87 ODIs to date, with Pakistan winning 34 and South Africa 52. For this series, Pakistan’s squad includes Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Babar Azam, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf. In addition, the team features Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, and several other key players, highlighting a blend of experience and young talent.
Pakistan Names ODI Squad for Faisalabad Series
Pakistan has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International series against South Africa in Faisalabad. Shahid Afridi will lead the team as captain, with Mohammad Rizwan serving as the wicket-keeper. The full squad includes Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.
Series Schedule
The series will take place at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, marking the return of international cricket to the venue after 17 years. The first ODI is scheduled for 4 November, followed by the second match on 6 November, and the final ODI on 8 November.
