International Cricket Returns to Faisalabad After 17 Years as South Africa Tour Announced
Faisalabad — International cricket is set to return to Faisalabad after a 17-year hiatus, as Pakistan prepares to host South Africa for a highly anticipated series this October and November.
The tour will feature two Test matches, three T20 Internationals (T20Is), and three One Day Internationals (ODIs), marking South Africa’s first Test tour to Pakistan since January 2021, when they lost a two-Test series 2-0.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan’s new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 will begin on 12 October with the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, running until 16 October. This will be the first five-day match at the stadium since its complete renovation earlier this year to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The second Test will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 20 to 24 October.
Following the Tests, the two sides will face off in three T20Is from 28 October to 1 November. The opening T20I will be held at Rawalpindi, while the second and third matches will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The tour will conclude with three ODIs at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, scheduled from 4 to 8 November. This marks the first ODI at the venue since Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets on 11 April 2008.
Complete Schedule:
12-16 October: First Test, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
20-24 October: Second Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
28 October: First T20I, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
31 October: Second T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 November: Third T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
4 November: First ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
6 November: Second ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
8 November: Third ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
The upcoming series is expected to bring excitement for cricket fans across Pakistan, especially in Faisalabad, which hasn’t hosted an international match in nearly two decades.
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