South Africa set to tour Pakistan in 2021

South Africa will arrive in Karachi on January 16, where they will play the first Test from January 26-30 before travelling to Rawalpindi for the second Test. The Gaddafi stadium in Lahore will host the T20 series

Pakistan Cricket Board have announced that South Africa will tour the country in 2021 for the first time in 14 years.

The tour will be made up of two Tests which will form part of the ICC World Test Championship as well as two T20 matches.

South Africa will arrive in Karachi on January 16, where they will play the first Test from January 26-30 before travelling to Rawalpindi for the second Test. The Gaddafi stadium in Lahore will host the T20 series.

When the tourists arrive in Karachi, they will observe a period of isolation where they can train and play intra-squad matches.

This will be South Africa’s first visit to Pakistan since 2007. Subsequent tours have been held on the UAE.

Zakir Khan, a PCB director said: “South Africa confirming a tour to Pakistan and playing matches at the three major centres is a fabulous news for Pakistan cricket and its fans. South Africa is one of the most popular sides in Pakistan even though they last played here in 2007, but the fans have been following their performances closely and now look forward to welcoming them.

“Cricket South Africa and its players have a special bonding with Pakistan as a number of their star players visited Lahore with the ICC World XI in 2017 and have appeared in the HBL Pakistan Super League with Faf du Plessis being the latest addition after featuring in the playoffs in Karachi.

“2021 promises to be a bumper and most exciting year for Pakistan cricket fans after a very long time. After South Africa, we are scheduled to host New Zealand, England and the West Indies, while our away series are against South Africa, Zimbabwe, England, Afghanistan and the West Indies.”

_{Graeme Smith toured Pakistan in 2007}

Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket, Graeme Smith added: “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.

“I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the hospitality and transparency they showed our security contingent when they travelled over there a few weeks ago.”

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