pakistan vs south africa match series Nov 4-8 at Faisalabad. First ODI cricket at Iqbal Stadium in 17 years. Live streaming on FanCode.
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan Squad | 🇿🇦 South Africa Squad |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (Captain) | Matthew Breetzke (Captain) |
| Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper) | Quinton de Kock (Wicketkeeper) |
| Babar Azam | Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Wicketkeeper) |
| Fakhar Zaman | Dewald Brevis |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Tony de Zorzi |
| Saim Ayub | Donovan Ferreira |
| Salman Ali Agha | Reeza Hendricks |
| Hussain Talat | Corbin Bosch |
| Hasan Nawaz | Nandre Burger |
| Haseebullah | Bjorn Fortuin |
| Mohammad Nawaz | George Linde |
| Faheem Ashraf | Lungi Ngidi |
| Mohammad Wasim Jnr | Lizaad Williams |
| Haris Rauf | Nqaba Peter |
| Naseem Shah | Sinethemba Qeshile |
| Abrar Ahmed | Ottniel Baartman |
| Faisal Akram | Gerald Coetzee (originally selected, but injured) |
New Leadership for Pakistan
The series will be historic for another reason – Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed as Pakistan’s new ODI captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan who led the team for just one year. This marks the third captaincy change in the ODI format over the past 12 months, highlighting Pakistan’s ongoing search for stable leadership. The 25-year-old left-arm fast bowler previously captained Pakistan in T20Is but was relieved of that role after a series loss in New Zealand.
Series Schedule and Venue Significance
All three matches will be played at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, with games scheduled for November 4, 6, and 8, 2025, starting at 2:30 PM IST. The venue holds special significance in Pakistan cricket history, having hosted 16 ODI matches between 1984 and 2008, with Pakistan maintaining a strong record at the ground.
Squad Composition and Key Players
Pakistan’s squad features the return of Babar Azam, who had stepped down from captaincy duties but remains a crucial batting asset. The team includes experienced players like Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), and Naseem Shah, alongside emerging talents. South Africa will be looking to build on their competitive record against Pakistan, having won their last encounter at this venue back in 2003.
Stakes and Expectations
This series comes at a crucial time for both teams as they prepare for upcoming international assignments. For Shaheen Afridi, this represents an opportunity to establish his leadership credentials in the ODI format after mixed results in T20I captaincy. The historic return to Faisalabad adds extra motivation for Pakistan to deliver a memorable performance in front of their home crowd.
Proteas Seek ODI Momentum
South Africa, despite having a few key players rested for the preceding T20Is, arrives with a challenging, though somewhat less experienced, ODI squad eager to prove their depth. The Proteas will be looking to their blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners like Quinton de Kock to counter the Pakistani challenge. Historically, the head-to-head record in ODIs leans in South Africa’s favour, with the Proteas winning 52 out of 87 encounters. However, recent bilateral meetings have often been fiercely contested, including a dramatic one-wicket victory for South Africa in the most recent World Cup clash. This series offers the Proteas a crucial platform to build momentum against a formidable Asian side.
Key Battles on the Cards pakistan vs south africa
The series will likely be defined by the clash between Pakistan’s high-quality pace bowling, featuring Afridi and the fiery Haris Rauf, and South Africa’s dynamic batting lineup. Conversely, the ability of South Africa’s bowling unit to contain the stroke play of the Pakistani top order, particularly on what are expected to be good batting tracks, will be critical.
As both teams look past the just-concluded T20I series and focus on the longer format, this three-match showdown is more than just a bilateral series—it’s a critical gauge of their readiness and depth for future ICC tournaments. Cricket fans can brace themselves for an action-packed week of competitive ODI cricket.
