Iqbal Stadium Returns to International Cricket as South Africa Tour Marks Historic Series in Pakistan

Iqbal Stadium Returns to International Cricket as South Africa Tour Marks Historic Series in Pakistan

Pakistan is set to host South Africa for an all-format series beginning October 12, marking several significant milestones in the country's cricketing landscape, including the long-awaited return of Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad to international action after 17 years.

The series will be South Africa’s first since winning the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title in June and will also serve as the opening WTC 2025–27 cycle series for both nations.

Gaddafi Stadium to Host Test Cricket Again

The first Test match of the tour will be held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, from October 12–16. This will be the venue’s first Test match in over three years, and its first since the stadium was rebuilt for the Champions Trophy 2025.

  • The Test marks only the second red-ball match at Gaddafi Stadium since international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019.

  • Due to winter smog in Lahore, Test cricket has largely been shifted to venues like Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Multan in recent years.

The second Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20–24, which has also undergone recent renovations.

Iqbal Stadium Ends 17-Year Wait for International Matches

Perhaps the most symbolic moment of the tour will be the return of Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad as an international venue. The ground will host all three One Day Internationals (ODIs):

  • November 4 – 1st ODI

  • November 6 – 2nd ODI

  • November 8 – 3rd ODI

This marks Faisalabad’s first international match since 2008. The venue was initially slated to host two T20Is against Bangladesh earlier this year, but those were cancelled due to scheduling reshuffles amid India-Pakistan border tensions.

T20I Series to Precede ODIs

The tour will also feature a three-match T20I series, starting after the Tests:

  • October 28 – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

  • October 31 – 2nd T20I, Lahore

  • November 1 – 3rd T20I, Lahore

This layout allows a full spread of formats across three major cricketing cities—Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad—highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to revitalise its cricket infrastructure across the country.

A Red-Ball Series With Crowds

Notably, this will be Pakistan’s first home Test series against South Africa with full crowd involvement. Their previous series in 2021 was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PCB COO Sumair Ahmed welcomed the development, stating:

"We are looking forward to welcome 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."

Full Tour Schedule: South Africa in Pakistan 2025

Date Match Venue
Oct 12–16 1st Test Lahore
Oct 20–24 2nd Test Rawalpindi
Oct 28 1st T20I Rawalpindi
Oct 31 2nd T20I Lahore
Nov 1 3rd T20I Lahore
Nov 4 1st ODI Faisalabad
Nov 6 2nd ODI Faisalabad
Nov 8 3rd ODI Faisalabad

Final Thoughts

With newly renovated stadiums, historic comebacks, and South Africa arriving as reigning WTC champions, the series promises not just high-quality cricket, but also marks a resurgence in Pakistan’s home international hosting capabilities. Fans across the country are set to witness the return of red-ball and white-ball cricket in cities that haven’t seen international stars in years.