Pakistan to host South Africa for WTC 2025–27 and first Faisalabad ODI in 17 years
Lahore, 6 September 2025 — Pakistan will begin their ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign with a two-Test home series against reigning champions South Africa, starting 12 October. The red-ball series will be followed by six white-ball matches, including the first ODI in Faisalabad in 17 years.
The opening Test will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 12 to 16 October, marking the first five-day match at the historic venue since its full renovation ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The second Test is scheduled for 20 to 24 October at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
South Africa returns for first Test series since 2021
This will be South Africa’s first Test tour of Pakistan since January 2021, when they lost the series 2-0. The matchup kicks off a high-stakes start to Pakistan’s WTC campaign against one of the top red-ball sides in world cricket.
White-ball series begins 28 October
Following the Test series, Pakistan and South Africa will play three T20Is and three ODIs between 28 October and 8 November.
- 28 October: 1st T20I – Rawalpindi
- 31 October: 2nd T20I – Lahore
- 1 November: 3rd T20I – Lahore
- 4 November: 1st ODI – Faisalabad
- 6 November: 2nd ODI – Faisalabad
- 8 November: 3rd ODI – Faisalabad
Faisalabad to host first ODI since 2008
The Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad will host its first ODI in 17 years, with the last one played on 11 April 2008, when Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets. The return of international cricket to this venue is a significant moment for fans in central Punjab.
PCB COO: Starting WTC campaign against champions is “ideal test”
Sumair Ahmed Syed, Chief Operating Officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), welcomed the tour:
“We are looking forward to welcoming South Africa for the opening series of our ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign. Starting the new cycle against the current Test champions will provide quality cricket for our players and fans.
The return of ODI cricket to Faisalabad after 17 years is a special moment. Iqbal Stadium holds a proud place in our cricketing history and we are excited to bring international cricket back to this part of the country.”
Full tour schedule: South Africa in Pakistan
- 12–16 October: 1st Test – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 20–24 October: 2nd Test – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 28 October: 1st T20I – Rawalpindi
- 31 October: 2nd T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 1 November: 3rd T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 4 November: 1st ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
- 6 November: 2nd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
- 8 November: 3rd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
