FAISALABAD (Kashmir English): Faisalabad is ready to host its first international cricket match after 17 years, as a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series between Pakistan and South Africa set to start on Tuesday, November 4, at Iqbal Stadium.
The last international match played at this venue was the ODI between Pakistan and Bangladesh on April 11, 2008.
A total of 16 ODIs have been played at this ground, out of which Pakistan has played 12, winning 9 and losing 3. South Africa has played 5 ODIs at Iqbal Stadium, with wins in only two of them.
The first match at the stadium will be played on November 4, the second match on November 6, and the third and final match on November 8.
The series comes after both sides have played a Test and a T20I series, which tied 1-1 and the home side won 2-1, respectively.
Training mode 🔛
Pakistan and South Africa players gear up for a historic ODI series in Faisalabad 🏏#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/YKxPImoSJG
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 3, 2025
The Green Shirts will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, his first assignment after being named the captain of Pakistan’s ODI side.
Addressing the media after the team’s training session at Iqbal Stadium, Afridi said that it is an honor for him to lead the Pakistan team and he will try to fulfill this responsibility well.
He expressed excitement over the return of international cricket to Faisalabad after 17 years. “The team played good cricket in the T20I series, and we aim to carry that momentum into the ODIs.”
“As players, our job is to play and fulfill whatever responsibility is given. At the moment, his focus is on the ODIs and how to improve performance,” he told the reporters.
Talking about Babar Azam, the skipper said that his confidence must have increased from the last T20 innings, adding, “You cannot say that Babar Azam is not a good player because of his failure in two or three innings.”
Head to Head Pak vs SA
Total played: 87
Pakistan won: 34
South Africa won: 52
Squads
Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.
South Africa: Matthew Breetzke (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Sinethemba Qeshile.
