South Africa to Tour Pakistan in October 2025

After more than four years, international cricket fans in Pakistan have reason to celebrate as the South African cricket team is set to tour Pakistan next month. The much-anticipated series, which is expected to begin on October 12, 2025, will feature two Test matches, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and three T20 Internationals (T20Is). This series holds immense importance, not just for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but also for cricket enthusiasts across the world, as it marks another milestone in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.

According to details emerging from the PCB, the series schedule has already been drafted and awaits final approval from the Cricket South Africa (CSA) delegation currently visiting Pakistan to review security and logistical arrangements.

• First Test Match: October 12–16 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Second Test Match: October 20–24 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
• First ODI: October 28 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
• Second ODI: October 31 at Faisalabad
• Third ODI: November 2 at Faisalabad
• First T20I: November 5, proposed for Multan Cricket Stadium
• Second & Third T20Is: November 8 and 9 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

If confirmed, the inclusion of Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad in the schedule will be historic, as it would mark the return of international cricket to the city after a long gap.

Ahead of the tour, a high-level South African delegation has been visiting different venues in Pakistan to assess facilities, security measures, and crowd management systems. While the delegation toured Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, they did not visit Multan, raising questions over whether the first T20I will be hosted there. PCB officials have clarified that final confirmation of venues will only be given after detailed discussions with CSA.

The series will serve as yet another powerful signal that Pakistan is once again a safe and reliable venue for international cricket. Since 2019, Pakistan has successfully hosted top teams including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, England, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which praised the country’s hospitality and improved security arrangements.

For Pakistan cricket fans, the visit of South Africa adds another feather in the cap of PCB’s efforts to normalize the hosting of global cricketing giants on home soil.

South Africa last toured Pakistan in January–February 2021 under the captaincy of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen. That tour proved memorable for Pakistan, as they won the Test series 2–0 and also claimed a 2–1 victory in the T20I series. Since then, fans have eagerly awaited the return of the Proteas for a longer and more competitive series.

The upcoming matches will test the mettle of both teams, with Pakistan looking to continue its dominance at home, and South Africa aiming to improve its subcontinental record.

Cricket analysts believe the Pakistan vs South Africa series will be highly competitive, considering both sides have young and talented squads. For Pakistan, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Rizwan will play key roles in the Tests and ODIs, while Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman could be crucial in the T20 format.

South Africa, on the other hand, boasts players like Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Rassie van der Dussen, who can turn the game at any stage. The fast and bouncy tracks of Rawalpindi, combined with the traditionally spin-friendly Lahore pitch, are expected to produce exciting cricket throughout the series.

In addition to the men’s tour, the South African women’s cricket team is also scheduled to visit Pakistan earlier in the month for a three-match T20I series. This double tour by both men’s and women’s teams highlights the growing trust and cricketing ties between the two nations.

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South Africa enters this series with mixed fortunes. Earlier this year, they suffered heartbreak after being knocked out by New Zealand in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy. However, the Proteas have been showing signs of building a competitive side with a mix of youth and experience. This tour will provide them with an opportunity to test their squad in challenging subcontinental conditions ahead of future ICC events.

Beyond cricket, the South Africa tour of Pakistan is expected to boost the local economy, particularly in host cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. Hotels, restaurants, transport services, and local vendors benefit significantly during such international events. Moreover, cricket series between major teams also serve as cultural bridges, strengthening diplomatic ties and people-to-people connections between the two countries.

The upcoming Test series will also play a part in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, while the ODIs will count toward the ICC ODI Super League rankings. This makes the matches even more important, as both sides aim to secure direct qualification for future ICC tournaments.

The South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025 promises to be a historic and thrilling cricket series. With a packed schedule of 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 3 T20Is, fans can look forward to action across multiple formats. While final confirmation of venues and dates is still pending, the excitement is already building across Pakistan and South Africa.

If all goes as planned, this tour will not only reignite a classic cricket rivalry but also cement Pakistan’s place as a global cricketing hub once again.