South Africa to tour Pakistan in January-February 2021 after 14 years
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been trying its best to bring international cricket back to the country over the last years. And their efforts have borne fruits on multiple occasions. Rather top-level cricket has more or less returned like before in Pakistan. Recently, Zimbabwe travelled to the country for three T20 Internationals amid COVID-19 outbreak and the series went on smoothly.
In the recent developments, the PCB has confirmed that South Africa will be touring Pakistan next month for two Tests and three T20Is. This is historic news for the cricket fans in the country as it is the first time that the Proteas will be touring Pakistan in the last 14 years. They had played three Tests, solitary T20I and five ODIs back in 2007-07 season in Pakistan.
The subsequent 2010 and 2013 tours were shifted to the United Arab Emirates. The news was confirmed by PCB on its official Twitter handle with the Test series commencing on January 26 in Karachi. The second Test will be played Rawalpindi from February 4 while Lahore will host the three T20Is on February 11, 13 and 14 respectively.
“Upon arrival in Karachi and in the lead up to the first Test, South Africa will observe an isolation period following which they will hold training sessions and play intra-squad practice matches,” PCB said in a press release.
Graeme Smith pleased that the tour is finalised
CONFIRMED: SA tour to Pakistan ?@OfficialCSA is pleased to confirm that the #Proteas men’s team will travel to @TheRealPCB for their first tour since 2007. It will consist of a two-match Test and a three-match T20 series.
? https://t.co/a9UdLiSMcR#PAKvSA #SeeUsOnThePitch pic.twitter.com/IbYX3FHTf3— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 9, 2020
Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa (CSA) Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith expressed his delight that the tour is going ahead as planned. He himself has visited Pakistan on multiple occasions and is happy that international cricket is returning to the country.
“It’s pleasing to see so many countries making a return to Pakistan – a proud, cricket-loving nation. Cricket South Africa is delighted to be counted among them. As someone who has toured the country on more than one occasion back in my playing days, I know how much passion the people of Pakistan have for the game as well as the love and support that the Proteas enjoy there as a team,” he said according to PCB press release.
