Key points
- South Africa lead overall ODI record
- Pakistan’s recent ODI form improving
- Pakistan’s 2-0 win in South Africa (2024)
ISLAMABAD: The cricketing rivalry between Pakistan and South Africa has spanned decades, with both sides boasting some iconic moments. While South Africa have long held the upper hand in their head-to-head ODI battles, recent encounters suggest that Pakistan is steadily closing the gap.
The two teams first clashed in an ODI during the 1992 World Cup, with South Africa emerging victorious. Over the years, they have contested 87 matches, with the Proteas winning 52, while Pakistan has managed to win 34 times, and one match ended without a result. In World Cup encounters, the balance has remained similarly tilted towards South Africa, who have won four of the six contests.
However, in recent years, Pakistan’s form against South Africa has shown marked improvement. Their 2‑0 series win in South Africa in December 2024 marked a significant achievement, with Pakistan winning their first two matches in the ODI series. One of the highlights of this series was a thrilling 81‑run victory at Newlands, where Pakistan managed to defeat the hosts with a solid all-round performance.
Major step forward
This series was seen as a major step forward, showing that Pakistan can overcome traditionally dominant teams, especially on foreign soil.
Pakistan’s growing confidence continued into 2025, when they completed their highest-ever successful chase against South Africa, reaching 352 runs with six wickets to spare.
This chase marked a turning point for the team, showcasing their growing depth in the shorter format. The win reflected Pakistan’s ability to perform under pressure, making a statement to the cricketing world that they were capable of chasing big totals against quality opposition.
Despite these recent successes, South Africa remains the more dominant team overall in ODIs against Pakistan, with a substantial lead in the overall head-to-head record.
However, Pakistan’s recent form, including strong performances in crucial series, suggests that the balance could shift in future contests. The growing rivalry between the two sides is now one to watch, as Pakistan continues to challenge South Africa’s supremacy in the format.
As the teams prepare for future encounters, the Pakistan cricket team will be looking to build on their recent successes and make a mark in upcoming series. With both teams capable of producing thrilling cricket, their encounters are likely to continue capturing the attention of cricket fans around the world.
