SA likely to tour Pakistan for one month; final schedule under discussion

LAHORE: The South African men’s cricket team is expected to tour Pakistan for approximately one month, though Cricket South Africa (CSA) is keen on keeping the tour as short as possible, according to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations.

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Sources reveal that the South African side has proposed a tour plan that includes 16 playing days and an additional two weeks of rest. Discussions are underway to accommodate their request, with at least a three-day break suggested between the two scheduled Test matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has floated multiple date options for the tour. Tentatively, the first Test match is proposed to start on October 12, with the second Test beginning October 20. A three-match ODI series is expected to follow in the last week of October, while a three-match T20I series could commence in the first week of November.

Venue discussions are also in progress. Lahore and Rawalpindi are being considered for hosting the Test matches. For the white-ball games, Multan and Faisalabad have also been proposed alongside Lahore and Rawalpindi.

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A recce team from South Africa has visited Pakistan and will submit its report to senior CSA officials. The final schedule, including dates and venues, will be decided jointly by the PCB and CSA after reviewing the report.

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Interestingly, sources add that the South African team has expressed its unwillingness to participate in any honorary or ceremonial events during the tour, preferring to focus solely on cricketing commitments. Further updates are expected once both boards finalise the logistics and itinerary based on mutual consultations.

PAKISTAN’S WTC CYCLE STARTS WITH SA

This is also the beginning of Pakistan’s ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 campaign. It will begin with a two-match Test series vs South Africa at home soil.

This will be followed by two Away Tests against Bangladesh and another two-match series in the West Indies.

The men in green will then travel to England for a three-Test series. Pakistan will conclude their campaign with two home Test matches series each against Sri Lanka & New Zealand.