Match: Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st T20I
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM Local (3:00 PM GMT)
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Toss: 7:30 PM Local
Series: 3-match T20I series (0-0)
Pakistan Likely Playing XI
Based on squad composition and recent reports from Cricket Addictor, Pakistan’s likely lineup includes:
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Babar Azam
- Salman Ali Agha (c)
- Saim Ayub
- Hasan Nawaz
- Mohammad Nawaz –
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Mohammad Wasim Jr
- Abrar Ahmed
- Salman Mirza
Note: This XI is based on likely selections from Cricket Addictor and Sportskeeda reports, as official playing XIs have not been confirmed yet.
South Africa Likely Playing XI
According to multiple sources including Sportskeeda, South Africa’s probable lineup is:
- Tony de Zorzi
- Reeza Hendricks
- Matthew Breetzke
- Dewald Brevis
- Donovan Ferreira (c)
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- George Linde
- Andile Simelane
- Lizaad Williams
- Nandre Burger
- Lungi Ngidi
Note: This XI is based on probable selections from Cricket Addictor and Sportskeeda. Official confirmation pending.
Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Conditions: The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch is expected to be relatively flat with some grass cover. According to Sportskeeda, batting should be easier early on, but the surface may quicken up under lights, helping fast bowlers with the new ball. Unlike the Test matches played here recently, the T20I pitch should offer better batting conditions.
Weather: It will be a mild autumn evening in Rawalpindi with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius. Conditions are expected to be dry initially with slight dew possible later in the evening, which could make bowling challenging in the second innings.
(Sources: Sportskeeda, Cricket World)
Players to Watch
Batters
| Player | Team | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | Returns to T20I cricket after missing the Asia Cup. Former captain adds experience and class to Pakistan’s middle order. |
| Dewald Brevis | South Africa | In superb form recently with a T20I century against Australia. Known for aggressive stroke-play. |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | Experienced wicketkeeper-batter who can dominate in powerplay overs. |
| Saim Ayub | Pakistan | Young talent who can provide quick starts and also bowl part-time spin. |
Bowlers
| Player | Team | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pakistan | Leading fast bowler and newly appointed ODI captain. Dangerous with the new ball under lights. |
| Abrar Ahmed | Pakistan | Mystery spinner who can be tricky on Rawalpindi’s surface. |
| Nandre Burger | South Africa | Fast bowler with T20 experience who can exploit pace-friendly conditions. |
| George Linde | South Africa | Spin-bowling all-rounder who provides balance to the team. |
Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 24 times in T20I cricket, with both teams winning 12 matches each. The rivalry is perfectly balanced, making this series crucial for gaining the upper hand.
In Pakistan, the hosts have won 2 out of 3 T20Is against South Africa, giving them a slight home advantage.
What to Expect
Pakistan will be eager to bounce back after losing the Asia Cup 2025 final to India. The return of Babar Azam adds stability to their batting lineup, while Shaheen Afridi leads a strong pace attack. With five proper bowlers expected, Pakistan will rely on their bowling depth.
South Africa comes into the match after leveling the Test series 1-1 with a dominant win in Rawalpindi. However, their T20I form has been inconsistent, winning just one of their last five completed matches. Captain Donovan Ferreira will need his top six batters to fire.
The pitch should favor batters early on, making the toss important. The team batting first could set a challenging total, while chasing teams might benefit from dew in the second innings.
Match Prediction
Toss: The captain winning the toss may choose to bat first to post a big total on a fresh pitch.
Prediction: Pakistan start as slight favorites due to home conditions and their strong bowling attack. However, with players like Dewald Brevis and Quinton de Kock in form, South Africa can challenge the hosts. Expect a close contest with Pakistan having a 55-45 edge.
Key Factor: The team that handles spin bowling better in the middle overs will likely win this match.