FAISALABAD, Pakistan: International cricket returned to Faisalabad after 17 years as Pakistan and South Africa prepare to face off in a three-match One Day International (ODI) series at the city’s historic Iqbal Stadium, starting Tuesday, November 4.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday that both teams had arrived in Faisalabad following the conclusion of their T20 series in Lahore.
“The Pakistan and South Africa teams have arrived in Faisalabad,” the PCB said in a statement. “The South Africa team will practice tomorrow [Monday] from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., while the Pakistan team will hold their practice session tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m.”
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South Africa, who have been in Pakistan since early October, tied the two-match Test series 1-1 before Pakistan clinched the three-match T20I series 2-1 on Saturday night, powered by Babar Azam’s half-century and a three-wicket burst from Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The ODI series will run from November 4 to 8, with all matches to be played at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium — a venue steeped in cricketing history but long absent from the international calendar.
Iqbal Stadium’s cricket legacy
Iqbal Stadium, constructed in 1965-66 and originally named Lyallpur Stadium, has hosted 24 Test matches and 12 ODIs since 1978. The last ODI took place in April 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed recently said the city’s return to hosting international matches was 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,” he said.
The venue is known for several memorable matches — from wicket-keeper Taslim Arif’s double-century against Australia in 1979 to Pakistan’s stunning win over the West Indies in 1986, highlighted by Abdul Qadir’s six wickets for 16 runs.
ODI Series Schedule
- Nov 4: First ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
- Nov 6: Second ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
- Nov 8: Third ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
