Rawalpindi, October 28, 2025 – The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is set to host an intriguing three-match T20I series opener between Pakistan and a significantly weakened South Africa on Tuesday. The series marks the high-profile return of former captain Babar Azam to Pakistan’s T20I setup after a 10-month absence.
Series Context: A Battle of Contrasting Fortunes
Both teams enter the series with points to prove. Pakistan, led by Salman Agha, will be eager to bounce back from their defeat to arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup final last month. The return of Babar Azam adds immense firepower and experience to their top order.
South Africa, on the other hand, arrives with a shadow squad. Key players like Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and the injured David Miller are absent. The team will be captained by Donovan Ferreira, and this new-look side is coming off a shocking series loss to Namibia, making them determined to prove their mettle against a top-tier opponent.
Key Players to Watch
- Pakistan:
- Babar Azam: All eyes will be on the star batter as he makes his much-anticipated return to the T20I fold.
- Shaheen Afridi: The pace spearhead will be crucial with the new ball to put the inexperienced South African top order under immediate pressure.
- Salman Agha: The captain will look to lead from the front with both bat and his handy off-spin.
- South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock: The experienced wicketkeeper-batter will be the cornerstone of the Proteas’ batting lineup.
- Dewald Brevis: “Baby AB” will have a perfect opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage.
- Lungi Ngidi: The senior pacer will lead a relatively green South African bowling attack.
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has traditionally been a batting-friendly surface with good bounce. The ball is expected to come onto the bat nicely, promising a high-scoring contest. With clear skies forecast, a full game is anticipated.
Match Details & Live Streaming
- Match: Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st T20I
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Date & Time: October 28, 2025. Toss at 8:00 PM IST, Match starts at 8:30 PM IST.
- Live Streaming in India: The match will be streamed live on the Sports TV YouTube channel. There will be no live telecast on any TV channel in India.
Squads
Pakistan: Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq.
South Africa: Donovan Ferreira (c), Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Nqabayomzi Peter, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil Baartman.
This series opener sets the stage for a fascinating contest between a settled Pakistani side bolstered by a returning legend and a determined South African team eager to defy expectations.
