The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Durban to prepare for the first T20I against South Africa, marking the beginning of an exciting three-match T20I series. Scheduled to run from December 10 to December 14, the series is part of Pakistan’s comprehensive tour of South Africa, which also includes ODIs and Test matches stretching until January 7, 2025.
A total of 12 players, including vice-captain Salman Ali Agha and speedster Haris Rauf, arrived in Durban directly from Bulawayo after concluding their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Joining them were Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan and senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had missed the Zimbabwe series.
Upon arrival, the squad enjoyed a rest day on Saturday to recover from their travel before resuming preparations with a training session scheduled for Sunday morning. The team is focused on adapting to South African conditions, which promise a challenging yet thrilling contest.
T20I Series Schedule
• First T20I:
o Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
o Venue: Durban
o Time: 9:00 PM PST | 4:00 PM GMT | 6:00 PM Local
• Second T20I:
o Date: Friday, December 13, 2024
o Venue: Centurion
o Time: 9:00 PM PST | 4:00 PM GMT | 6:00 PM Local
• Third T20I:
o Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
o Venue: Johannesburg
o Time: 9:00 PM PST | 4:00 PM GMT | 6:00 PM Local
Squad and Tour Highlights
The Pakistan selection committee has carefully crafted squads for the South African conditions. The T20I and ODI squads are led by Babar Azam, with Rizwan and Afridi playing pivotal roles. Afridi’s inclusion follows a workload management plan to ensure his readiness for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
For the Tests, Mohammad Abbas returns following his stellar performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while Naseem Shah reclaims his spot after a brief absence. Emerging pacer Khurram Shahzad and veteran spinner Noman Ali have also been included.
Complete Tour Schedule
• T20Is: December 10, 13, 14
• ODIs: December 17, 19, 22
• Tests: December 26-30 (Centurion), January 3-7 (Cape Town)
This tour provides Pakistan with an opportunity to sharpen their skills against a strong South African team, setting the tone for upcoming global competitions. Fans eagerly await the thrilling action as two cricketing giants go head-to-head.