Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced an expanded itinerary for Pakistan’s limited-overs tour to the country that will wrap up the Proteas’ international summer.
The tour is scheduled to run from 2-16 April, with the subcontinent side arriving in South Africa on 26 March prior to the first game when they will enter a bio-secure environment (BSE) in Gauteng.
They will go into a period of quarantine before commencing with inter-squad training.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to a request by CSA to play an additionalTwenty20 International, meaning the tour will now comprise of three One-Day Internationals(ODIs) and four T20s with the games played in Centurion and Johannesburg.
“We are delighted to finally confirm the dates and full schedule for Pakistan’s white-ball tour to South Africa,” CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith, said in a press statement.
“Pakistan has proved their status over the years as one of the most dangerous limited-oversteams 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.”
The PCB’s 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 ODI – due to be played in Johannesburg on 4 April. The last match will take place on 7 April in Centurion.
That will be followed by the T20 series, the first two matches of which are set to take place on10 and 12 April at the Wanderers, followed by the last two games on 14 and 16 April at SuperSport Park.
Pakistan tour to South Africa:
Friday, 02 April at 10:00:
1st ODI – South Africa v Pakistan, SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Sunday, 04 April at 10:00:
2nd ODI – South Africa v Pakistan, Wanderers, Johannesburg
Wednesday, 07 April at 10:00:
3rd ODI – South Africa v Pakistan, SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Saturday, 10 April at 14:30:
1st T20 – South Africa v Pakistan, Wanderers, Johannesburg
Monday, 12 April at 14:30:
2nd – T20 South Africa v Pakistan, Wanderers, Johannesburg
Wednesday, 14 April at 14:30:
3rd T20 South Africa v Pakistan, SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Friday, 16 April at 14:30:
4th T20 South Africa v Pakistan, SuperSport Park, Pretoria
– CSA – news24