Pak-SA lock horns in first T20 today

Pakistan hold a slight edge with 12 wins while the Proteas have won 10 T20s

The Pakistan cricket team is all set to begin its T20 series against South Africa on Tuesday (today) in Durban. Ahead of the first match, the players have been sharpening their skills in batting, bowling, and fielding during a practice session in Durban to ensure they are fully prepared for the challenge.

South Africa and Pakistan have been facing each other in T20Is from the earliest days of the format and their first game took place in February 2007, a few months before the African nation hosted the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

In total, the teams have played 22 T20 matches with nearly even results. Pakistan hold a slight edge with 12 wins, while the Proteas have won 10.

The runners-up of the last two ICC Men's T20 World Cups, South Africa in 2024 and Pakistan in 2022, have both seen their T20 fortunes drop in recent bilateral T20 series.

South Africa were at the receiving end of a 3-1 thrashing against world champions India at home and while Pakistan managed to beat Zimbabwe 2-1, they were handed a 3-0 drubbing in Australia in November.

The hosts will be led by stand-in skipper Heinrich Klaasen as Aiden Markram has been rested for the Test leg of Pakistan's tour of South Africa. The hosts have named a number of new players for the T20 series while Pakistan will also be fielding quite a few young payers in the series.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have taken the opposite route, choosing to rest leading pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Tests as they look to manage his workload before the home ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Following the first T20I match in Durban, the second match will be held in Centurion on December 13, and the final T20 in Johannesburg on December 14.

After the T20 series, the teams will face off in a three-match ODI series, with the first ODI scheduled for December 17 in Paarl, the second on December 19 in Cape Town, and the final ODI on December 22 in Johannesburg.

The tour will then move into a two-match Test series, with the first Test in Centurion on December 26 and the second on January 3 in Cape Town.

Pakistan aims to perform strongly in all formats and make a significant impact during this crucial tour of South Africa, with players focused on giving their best in every match. The team is looking forward to a competitive and exciting series across all formats.

During a practice session in Durban on Monday, the players focused on sharpening their skills in batting, bowling, and fielding to ensure they are ready for the challenge ahead.

Pakistan T20 Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain/wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).

South Africa T20 Squad: Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen.