International cricket returns to Faisalabad with Pakistan-SA ODIs

International cricket returns to Faisalabad for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday when newly installed ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi leads Pakistan in the three-match series against an under-strength South Africa.

Iqbal Stadium last hosted an ODI against Bangladesh in 2008, before the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus the following year forced Pakistan to organise its home matches at neutral venues in the UAE for six years.

Since international cricket gradually returned to Pakistan in 2015, major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan have all hosted foreign teams. But Faisalabad wasn’t able to stage international games due to lack of facilities, which have improved over the last couple of years.

“It is exciting to see international cricket returns to Faisalabad after 17 years,” Afridi told reporters on Monday. “We are looking forward to performing well against South Africa. The team played good cricket in the T20 series and we aim to carry that momentum into the ODIs.”

Pakistan drew the Test series 1-1 against South Africa, but defeated the Proteas 2-1 in the T20 series after winning back-to-back matches at Lahore.

Pakistan hasn’t impressed in ODIs this year, which led to Mohammad Rizwan getting replaced by Afridi as skipper. Pakistan lost the triangular series final to New Zealand before failing to reach the semifinals of the Champions Trophy it hosted and also lost 2-1 in the West Indies.

Afridi led Pakistan in a T20 series against New Zealand last year, but was sacked after losing to the Black Caps 4-1.

“Our job is to play cricket and fulfil the responsibility given to us,” Afridi said. “We respect the decision of the PCB and now it’s up to me to lead from the front in the ODIs.”

Pakistan has named a full strength squad for the ODIs against South Africa with Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf as the other fast bowlers to team up with Afridi. Fakhar Zaman also returns after skipping the T20 series while Babar Azam returned to form by scoring a match-winning 68 in the final T20.

“The last innings must have helped Babar a lot,” Afridi said. “He must have felt he is getting back into his touch.”

A weakened South Africa, without their injured captain Temba Bavuma and seven other frontline white-ball players, will be led by Matthew Breetzke.

Breetzke made a stunning ODI debut during the triangular in Pakistan when he scored 150 against New Zealand in Lahore. South Africa’s hopes of putting up challenging totals will rest with the experienced Quinton de Kock, who has reversed his 2023 ODI retirement, and Tony de Zorzi, the only century-maker during the test series in Pakistan.

“Obviously we are lacking the core group of ODI players that we usually have,” Breetzke said. “It offers opportunity for the younger guys to step up. It’s going to be challenging, we know that, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The other two games of the ODI series will also be played in Faisalabad on Thursday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, after sealing the T20I series 2-1 against South Africa, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha credited senior batter Babar’s fluent half-century for a four-wicket win in the series decider on Saturday.

“Singles and doubles would have been enough to win the game. That’s what we were doing, and we knew we’d get an over like the one against Baartman (where we hit four boundaries), and that almost finished the game,” Agha said.

Babar’s adaptability and determination impressed Agha, who praised his unmatched work ethic and meticulous preparation, noting that regardless of form, his commitment to improvement and readiness remain exemplary in international cricket.

“We’re all delighted for Babar. The whole country is. In big games, big players step up. He did that today, and I really hope he continues along this vein and we see this Babar perform in the next four or five years,” the Pakistan captain said.

“We’ve won both matches comprehensively. The bowlers kept them under par, and that’s what we discuss in team meetings. Score above par and keep other teams below par. The bowling did their job and it was an easy chase in both games.”

Agencies