PAK vs SA 1st T20 – The South Africa tour of Pakistan moves to the shortest format as a new-look Proteas side, led by Donovan Ferreira, takes on Pakistan in the first of a three-match T20I series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium tonight. After a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the Test series, both teams will be eager to stamp their authority early in what promises to be a high-octane encounter.
Pakistan, captained by Salman Agha, welcomes back the prolific Babar Azam into the T20I fold. The hosts are coming off a solid, if not spectacular, Asia Cup 2025 campaign where they reached the final. They will be keen to leverage their home advantage against a South African squad that is missing several of its biggest stars.
South Africa, meanwhile, has opted to rest key players like Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada, handing the captaincy to the big-hitting Donovan Ferreira. The squad is brimming with young talent like Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, all looking to make their mark. However, their recent form, including a shock loss to Namibia, has been inconsistent, and this series will be a major test of their depth.
PAK vs SA Match Details
PAK vs SA Head-to-Head
The T20I rivalry between Pakistan and South Africa is as evenly matched as it gets. In 24 encounters, both teams have won 12 matches apiece, making this series opener a crucial tie-breaker. This perfect balance highlights the competitive nature of their contests, with neither side giving an inch.
PAK vs SA Pitch Report
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is renowned for being one of the flattest tracks in the country—a certified “batting paradise.” The pitch offers true bounce and minimal assistance for bowlers, especially spinners. Pacers might find a hint of movement with the new ball under lights, but this is a surface built for high scores. The boundaries are relatively short, and batters will be eager to cash in.
A significant factor will be the dew, which is expected to set in during the second innings. This will make gripping the ball difficult for the bowling side and could make batting even easier. The captain winning the toss will almost certainly opt to bowl first.
PAK vs SA Weather Report
Cricket fans are in for a treat as the weather forecast for Rawalpindi is perfect for an evening match. The skies will be clear, with a 0% chance of rain. The temperature is expected to be pleasant, hovering around 17°C to 23°C during game time. A gentle breeze will be present, but conditions are ideal for an uninterrupted, high-scoring T20I.
PAK vs SA Probable Playing11
Pakistan (PAK): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr
South Africa (SA): Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira (c), Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Nqabayomzi Peter
PAK vs SA Squads
Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan(w), Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha(c), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Salman Mirza, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq, Abdul Samad
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira(c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Ottneil Baartman, Andile Simelane.
PAK vs SA Match Prediction
This match presents a fascinating contrast. Pakistan is playing at home with a full-strength pace attack and the returning class of Babar Azam. Their bowling, led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, is world-class and will be their biggest weapon. However, their T20I record at this specific venue is surprisingly poor, with only 4 wins in 8 matches.
South Africa, while inexperienced, is packed with T20 specialists. The likes of Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Dewald Brevis can tear any bowling attack apart on a flat pitch like Rawalpindi. Their main challenge will be their bowling, which lacks the experience of their Pakistani counterparts.
Given the batting-friendly conditions and the significant dew factor, the team chasing will have a massive advantage. While South Africa’s explosive batting lineup makes them dangerous, Pakistan’s superior and more experienced bowling attack gives them a slight edge. If Pakistan’s pacers can strike early, they should be able to restrict the Proteas to a manageable total.
Prediction: Pakistan to win.
