South Africa confirmed its tour of Pakistan, its first in 14 years, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday. The Proteas will be playing 3 Twenty20 Internationals and 2 test matches in January.
From the information available, the Proteas will arrive in Karachi on January 16 to play the first test match from Jan 26-30. They shall then go to Rawalpindi for the second test, which shall last from February 4 to February 8. Their final destination shall be Lahore where they shall play 3 T20Is on Feb 11, 13 and 14.
The PCB further stated that all Covid-19 SOP’s would be followed and that the visitors would stay in isolation in the days leading up to the first test. Training would be allowed once the isolation period would be completed.
Speaking about the news, PCB Director International Cricket Zakir Khan said, “South Africa confirming a tour to Pakistan and playing matches at the three major centers is a fabulous news for Pakistan cricket and its fans. South Africa is one of the most popular sides in Pakistan even though they last played here in 2007, but the fans have been following their performances closely and now look forward to welcoming them”.
The news comes a month after the announcement by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of the men’s team touring Pakistan in October next year. The team shall play 2 T20I’s in Karachi on October 14 and 15. The ECB’s CEO Tom Harrison called the tour “a significant moment for both nations”.
