South Africa vs Pakistan – T20 Series: When, Where, Teams, Head to Head | Cricket

WHO: South Africa vs Pakistan
What: T20 international cricket series
When: 10, 13, 14 December at 16:00 GMT
Where: Durban, Centurion, Johannesburg

South Africa and Pakistan will look to shake off a string of poor results in T20 internationals when the two teams meet in a three-match series starting on Tuesday.

The runners-up of the last two men’s ICC T20 World Cups, South Africa in 2024 and Pakistan in 2022, have both seen their T20 fortunes decline in recent bilateral T20 series.

South Africa were on the receiving end of a 3-1 thrashing against world champions India at home, and while Pakistan managed to beat Zimbabwe 2-1, they suffered a 3-0 drubbing in Australia in November.

The hosts will be led by stand-in skipper Heinrich Klaasen as Aiden Markram has been rested for the Test leg of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have taken the opposite route and have opted to rest leading bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from Tests as they look to manage his workload ahead of the home ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan’s new limited-overs captain Mohammed Rizwan returns to lead the team after sitting out the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe.

What is the full match schedule for Australia vs Pakistan T20 series?

• First T20: Tuesday 10 December at 18:00 (16:00 GMT) at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
• Second T20: Friday 13 December at 6pm (4pm GMT) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
• Third T20: Saturday 14 December at 18:00 (16:00 GMT) at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

How can I follow South Africa vs Pakistan T20 series?

Al Jazeera’s live text and photo coverage of each match begins three hours before kick-off.

South Africa vs Pakistan: T20 head-to-head record

South Africa and Pakistan have faced each other in T20Is from the earliest days of the format, with their first match taking place in February 2007, a few months before the African nation hosted the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

In total, the teams have played 22 T20 matches with almost equal results. Pakistan have a slight advantage with 12 wins while the Proteas have won 10.

Form guide: South Africa

The World Cup runners-up have endured a forgettable run in the T20Is format since the June 29 final in Barbados.

In their three bilateral T20I series since the World Cup, the Proteas have lost 3-1 to India at home, drawn 1-1 with Ireland in the United Arab Emirates and lost 3-0 away to the West Indies.

Last five results (most recent first): LLWLL

Form guide: Pakistan

Similar to South Africa’s run in the T20s since their appearance in the final, Pakistan have been on a downward spiral since their runner-up finish at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Since losing to England in the Melbourne final, Pakistan have lost three of their six bilateral series. Their only series wins have come against Zimbabwe (2-1) and Ireland (2-1).

The 2009 champions have lost away to England (2-0), drawn at home against a tired New Zealand team (2-2), lost away to New Zealand (4-1) and away to Afghanistan (2-1).

Last five results (most recent first): LWWLL

South Africa team news

The hosts will be led by exuberant batsman Klaasen in Markram’s absence with Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Tristan Stubbs also sitting out.

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20 team for the first time since the T20 World Cup.

Team: Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen.

Pakistan team news

After resting a number of T20 regulars for the series against Zimbabwe, including captain Rizwan, Pakistan have brought back Rizwan and Babar for the South African tour. Shaheen Afridi will lead the pace attack along with Haris Rauf but Naseem Shah will miss out.

Team: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan .