South African cricket team to travel Pakistan for first time 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 26 January to 14 February 2021, with the team arriving in Karachi on 16 January, Cricket South Africa said in a statement. They will go into a period of quarantine before commencing with training and inter-squad practice matches.

"The Test series, which will form part of the ICC Test Championship, will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi before the teams travel to Rawalpindi for the second fixture taking place from 04-08 February," read the statement.

The three T20 matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore – South Africa’s first-ever T20 series in Pakistan. 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.

CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said: “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. 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," he said.

PCB Director, International, Zakir Khan commented: “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. 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."