South Africa to make historic Pakistan tour in January after 14 years

South Africa will tour Pakistan next month for the first time in 14 years to play two tests and three Twenty20 Internationals, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/p5ftd8jClv

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 9, 2020

The five-day matches will be staged in Karachi from January 26-30 and in Rawalpindi from February 4-8, T20 fixtures will be played in Lahore from 11th February to 14th of February.

International cricket has returned to Pakistan in the past 15 months following a militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.

“It’s pleasing to see so many countries making a return to Pakistan — a proud, cricket-loving nation,” South Africa’s director of cricket, Graeme Smith, said in a statement.

“I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the hospitality and transparency they showed our security contingent when they travelled over there a few weeks ago,” he said.

He added: “The report on their findings and recommendations gives us confidence as an organisation that all of our team’s security, playing and accommodation needs will be met, and that the wellbeing of the team will be the top priority.”

The Cricket board of South Africa (CSA) also confirmed the tour on Twitter.

CONFIRMED: SA tour to Pakistan 🏏@OfficialCSA is pleased to confirm that the #Proteas men’s team will travel to @TheRealPCB for their first tour since 2007. It will consist of a two-match Test and a three-match T20 series.
👉 https://t.co/a9UdLiSMcR#PAKvSA #SeeUsOnThePitch pic.twitter.com/IbYX3FHTf3

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 9, 2020

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said that aside from the thrill of playing at home, the tour will also be a chance for his side to test their progress across the two formats.

“I am delighted that South Africa have confirmed their tour to Pakistan and look forward to captaining my country for the first time in a home Test,” said Azam in a statement.

“Looking at the calendar of international cricket in 2021, I am pleased we are playing more against the sides which are ranked above us,” he said. “This is critical to not only our learning and development, but also an opportunity to improve our rankings across all formats.”