After nearly 17 years, international cricket is set to return to Faisalabad as Pakistan take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting today at Iqbal Stadium.
The second and third ODIs are scheduled for November 6 and 8 at the same venue. Toss time is set for 2:30pm, and the first ball will be bowled at 3pm. Iqbal Stadium last hosted an international fixture on April 11, 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets. The iconic ground has staged 16 ODIs so far, including four World Cup matches — one in 1987 and three in 1996.
Pakistan have played 12 ODIs here, winning nine and losing three. South Africa have featured in five matches at the venue, winning two. Overall, in 87 ODI meetings between the sides, Pakistan have won 34, while South Africa have 52 victories. In Pakistan, both teams have eight wins each from 16 contests.
In Faisalabad specifically, Pakistan and South Africa have played three ODIs — Pakistan winning two (1994, 2007) and South Africa winning one (2003).
This ODI series follows a 1-1 Test draw and Pakistan’s 2-1 win in the T20Is. Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain Pakistan in ODIs for the first time.
Pakistan Squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
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