Pakistan gears to face Proteas in limited-overs format in April, says CSA
By Mcebo Makhaye
The Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed on Friday the schedule for Pakistan’s limited-overs tour to South Africa, which will run for two weeks in April.
The tour is expected to kick from 2 to 16 April, with the subcontinent side arriving in Mzansi on 26 March, Sport24 reported.
The tour will comprise of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and four Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), with the matches played in Centurion and Johannesburg, respectively.
This comes a week after Proteas lost a test series by 2–0 to Pakistan.
In a press statement, CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith said they are looking forward to host Pakistan.
“We are delighted to finally confirmed the dates and full schedule for Pakistan’s white-ball tour to South Africa,” Smith said.
Smith went on to say they acknowledge the great partnership that had been developed with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the past years.
“Pakistan has proved their status over the years, as one of the most dangerous limited-overs teams. And I am sure they give the Proteas a stern test on the Highveld.
“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,” Smith added.
Prior to enter the crease, the visitors will enter a bio-secure environment (BSE) in Gauteng. Furthermore, they will go into a period of quarantine before commencing with inter-squad training.
However, the second ODI match will be the famous huge-attended and much-loved “Pink Day”- which is not only for the cricket lovers, but most importantly it is for the fundraising awareness campaign of people living with cancer in the world.
“We’ll 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,” Smith concluded.
In addition, the PCB’s director of international cricket, Zakir Khan said they are keen to play with Proteas and he applauded the good partnership of both nations that has been built over the years.
“We all have a collective responsibility to look after the game and its welfare together as ICC Members,” said Khan.
He added: “We are all looking forward to a successful tour.”
Here’s the full tour dates of Pakistan to South Africa:
Friday, 02 April at 10h00:
1st ODI- South Africa v Pakistan,
SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Sunday, 04 April at 10h00:
2nd ODI- South Africa v Pakistan,
Wanderers, Johannesburg
Wednesday, 07 April at 10h00:
3rd ODI- South Africa v Pakistan,
SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Saturday, 10 April at 14h30:
1st T20I- South Africa v Pakistan,
Wanderers, Johannesburg
Monday, 12 April at 14h30:
2nd T20I- South Africa v Pakistan,
Wanderers, Johannesburg
Wednesday, 14 April at 14h30:
3rd T20I- South Africa v Pakistan,
SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Friday, 16 April at 14h30:
4th T20I- South Africa v Pakistan,
SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Compiled by Mcebo Makhaye
