Pakistan’s Hussain Talat (R) plays a shot as South Africa’s wicketkeeper captain Heinrich Klaasen (L) watches during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on February 11, 2021. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)

Pakistan tour to South Africa: CSA announce expanded itinerary

Pakistan arrive in South Africa on 26 March to enter a bio-secure environment (BSE) in Gauteng and will go into a period of quarantine before commencing with intra-squad training.

by James Richardson

12-02-2021 10:51

in International

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced an expanded itinerary for the Pakistan tour to South Africa which will wrap up the Proteas’ international summer.

The tour, scheduled to run from 2 to 16 April 2021, will see Pakistan arrive in South Africa on 26 March to enter a bio-secure environment (BSE) in Gauteng. The Pakistan squad will go into a period of quarantine before commencing with intra-squad training.

In hopes of getting extra preparation in for the T20 World Cup CSA hit up their counterparts in Pakistan to add an additional fixture to the programme.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreed to the request by CSA to play an additional T20I, meaning the tour will now comprise of three ODIs and four T20Is with the games played in Centurion, SuperSport Park and Johannesburg, Wanderers Stadium.

“We are delighted to finally confirm the dates and full schedule for Pakistan’s white-ball tour to South Africa,” commented CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith.

“Pakistan has proved their status over the years as one of the most dangerous limited-overs teams and I’m sure they will give the Proteas a stern test on the Highveld. We will also have the much-anticipated ‘Pink ODI’ take place during the tour and that is something further to look forward to for the players, the fans and all those associated with this iconic day.”

“We are grateful to the PCB for agreeing to our request within a short period of time to increase the length of the trip by adding in a fourth T20, which will give us some much-needed additional international content.”

PCB Director of International Cricket, Zakir Khan added: “We are delighted to help assist our fellow member countries in their plight to survive. We all have a collective responsibility to look after the game and its welfare together as ICC Members.

“South Africa and Pakistan’s relationship is a long-standing and mutually valued one, and it was an easy decision for us to accommodate their request. We’re all looking forward to a successful tour.”

The three-match ODI series is set to begin on 2 April in Centurion, with the second game – The Pink Day – due to be played in Johannesburg on 4 April. The last match will take place on 07 April in Centurion.

That will be followed by the T20I series, the first two matches of which are set to take place on 10 and 12 April at the Wanderers, followed by the last two games on 14 and 16 April at SuperSport Park.