RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa in the opening Twenty20 International (T20I) of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
On a traditionally batting-friendly surface known for producing high scores in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistan have prioritised batting depth over specialist bowlers.
The hosts recalled Naseem Shah to partner Shaheen Shah Afridi in pace, while Abrar Ahmed was chosen as the sole specialist spinner. Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Saim Ayub provide additional all-round options.
🏏 Pakistan win the toss and elect to bowl first against South Africa in the 1st T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium 🇵🇰 🏟️#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen | #PINKtober pic.twitter.com/bYc8KXdFQl
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 28, 2025
“Given the surface and dew factor, we feel bowling first gives us the best chance to control the game,” captain Salman Agha said at the toss.
South Africa, led for the first time by Donovan Ferreira, would also have preferred to bowl first. The visitors’ squad, which features several new faces, has been strengthened by the return of Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.
They opted for a pace-heavy combination with four seamers and a single spinner, as Lhuan-dré Pretorius was ruled out due to illness.
The T20 leg of South Africa’s 2025 tour of Pakistan has begun with a splash of colour as the hosts stepped onto the field in striking pink kits for the opening clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday night.
The gesture forms part of Pakistan Cricket Board’s “Pinktober” campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer.
💗 Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium observes Pink Day! The #PAKvSA 1st T20I lights up in support of the fight against breast cancer. Together we stand for awareness and hope 🎀#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen | #PINKtober pic.twitter.com/sFz1pOuhWz
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 28, 2025
Pakistan’s pink kits were not the only focus of the evening. All match officials and South African players are also wearing pink ribbons in solidarity with the breast-cancer awareness cause, creating a powerful image on the field. The initiative was first introduced in Pakistan cricket in 2017.
Pakistan Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa Playing XI
Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
Head-to-Head Record
The two sides have faced each other 25 times in T20 internationals, with the head-to-head record evenly balanced — 12 wins each, and one match ending without a result.
Pakistan enter the contest looking to rebound from their Asia Cup 2025 disappointment, where they lost three times to India, including in the final.
South Africa, meanwhile, suffered an unexpected loss to Namibia earlier this month — their first-ever defeat to the neighbouring side in international cricket.
The Proteas have also been hit by injuries, with David Miller and Gerald Coetzee both ruled out of the white-ball tour.
The two teams last met in a bilateral T20I series in December 2024, when South Africa claimed the series 2–0 at home, with the third match washed out due to rain.
