TOP STORIES
PAK vs SA, 1st T20I: All you need to know, head-to-head, playing XI
Pakistan and South Africa are gearing up for the first T20I of their three-match series, set to take place on Tuesday in Rawalpindi. The encounter is going to be highly competitive, with both teams looking to assert their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
For the hosts, this series comes as an opportunity to bounce back after a painful defeat to arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup final. The heartbreak of that loss still lingers, but the return of key players Babar Azam and Naseem Shah will bolster the squad. Both stars have been away from T20I action for some time, and their comeback will bring to the side. However, the absence of opener Fakhar Zaman, who has been dropped due to inconsistent form, will test Pakistan’s top-order depth.
The hosts will look to capitalize on familiar conditions in Rawalpindi, where their pace battery could make a decisive impact. The duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah will look to trouble South Africa’s batting lineup.
South Africa, meanwhile, enter the contest with renewed belief after leveling their recent Test series 1-1 with a spirited victory. That performance has injected confidence into the Proteas camp despite suffering a setback with a shocking loss to Namibia. Led by Donovan Ferreira in the absence of regular skipper Aiden Makam, South Africa will be eager to create their early dominance over South Africa.
Head-to-head
Matches - 24
Pakistan won - 12
South Africa won - 12
Pakistan likely XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah.
South Africa likely XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Nqaba Peter, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger.
Tags
More News
Samson's monster masterclass sends Windies packing from T20 showpiece
India produced a statement performance in Kolkata on Sunday night, stunning West Indies with a five-wicket win and knocking them out of the T20I World Cup after a pulsating Super 8 encounter at Eden Gardens. In a nail-biting finish, India chased down a massive 196-run target with six wickets in hand, finishing at 199/5 in 19.2 overs. The architect of the memora...
India decide to bowl in high-stakes Super 8 clash against West Indies in Kolkata
The atmosphere in Kolkata is electric as India won the toss and elected to bowl in a must-win Super 8 encounter against the formidable West Indies cricket team in the Men's T20 World Cup on Sunday. India understand the magnitude of this battle. A victory is essential to secure qualification for the semi-finals.
Indian bowlers will look to strike early blo...
AUS-W vs IND-W, 3rd ODI: Australia thrash India, storm to series whitewash
Riding on a commanding performance in the third and final ODI, Australia beat India by 185 runs, sealing the series 3-0 in Hobart on Sunday. The match turned into a grand farewell for Australian captain Alyssa Healy, who signed off in spectacular fashion, playing her final ODI. The match turned into a grand farewell for Australian captain
Alyssa Healy blasts sensational 158 in her ODI farewell
In a farewell befitting her stature in the game, Australia captain Alyssa Healy signed off in style, producing a breathtaking 158 from 98 balls in her final ODI appearance during the third ODI between Australia and India women in Hobart. The veteran batter's masterclass knock of 158 is the highest women’s ODI score against India and also the highest individual women’s ODI score...
"We were loud and clear": Ex-Pakistan batter slams team's disappointing campaign at T20 World Cup
Former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf has strongly criticized the Salman Agha-led side after their premature exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, questioning both leadership and overall performance. Pakistan’s campaign came to an end on Saturday despite a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight Group 2 match in Pallekele.
Pakistan finished level on three poi...
Android App
iOS App
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram