Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Picture: Anjum Naveed, AP Photo
CAPE TOWN – Cricket South Africa has confirmed that the Proteas men’s team will travel to Pakistan for their first tour since 2007.
It 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 January 26 to February 14 2021, with the team arriving in Karachi on January 16. They will go into a period of quarantine before commencing with training and inter-squad practice matches.
The previous two T20 international series they played were hosted by Pakistan 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.
South Africa will become the fourth country to tour Pakistan in the last 15 months after Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
“It’s pleasing to see so many countries making a return to Pakistan – a proud, cricket-loving nation. Cricket South Africa is delighted to be counted among them,” CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said.
Passion
“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.”
CSA sent a security contingent to inspect the venues and hotels for the tour, and they are confident that everything is in place for a safe and memorable trip.
“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,” Smith said.
“The report on their findings and recommendations gives us confidence as an organisation that all of our team’s security, playing and accommodation needs will be met, and that the well-being of the team will be the top priority. We look forward to embarking on this historical tour.”
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