Match: 2nd T20I, South Africa Tour of Pakistan 2025
Date: October 31, 2025 (Friday)
Time: 8:00 PM local time (8:30 PM IST)
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Series Status: South Africa leads 1-0
Expected Playing XIs
Pakistan (Likely XI)
Based on reports from Cricket Addictor and NewsBytes, Pakistan is expected to field an unchanged lineup after their 55-run defeat in the first T20I.
- Saim Ayub
- Sahibzada Farhan (wk)
- Babar Azam
- Salman Agha (c)
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Hasan Nawaz
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Faheem Ashraf
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Abrar Ahmed
Source: Cricket Addictor, NewsBytes
South Africa (Likely XI)
South Africa is expected to continue with the same winning combination from the first match.
- 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
Source: Cricket Addictor, SportsCafe
Players to Watch
| Role | Player | Team | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batter | Babar Azam | Pakistan | Returns to T20I setup; scored a duck in 1st T20I |
| Batter | Reeza Hendricks | South Africa | Scored 60 runs in 1st T20I |
| Batter | Dewald Brevis | South Africa | 299 runs in 9 matches at 192.9 SR |
| All-rounder | Mohammad Nawaz | Pakistan | Took 3/26 and scored 36 in 1st T20I |
| Bowler | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pakistan | 12 wickets in last 10 T20Is |
| Bowler | Nandre Burger | South Africa | Key wicket-taker with the new ball |
| Bowler | Abrar Ahmed | Pakistan | 12 wickets in 9 matches with economy of 4.88 |
Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Conditions
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch is known for being batting-friendly, especially in T20 cricket. Teams can expect:
- True bounce and good pace
- High-scoring matches likely
- Spinners getting help as the match progresses
- Some early movement for fast bowlers with the new ball
According to pitch-report.com, teams batting first win 67% of matches at this venue, making the toss crucial.
Weather Forecast
Clear weather is expected in Lahore on October 31, with temperatures around 30-31°C. There is no threat of rain, ensuring a full match without interruptions.
Source: Cricket Addictor, Pitch-Report.com
What to Expect
Pakistan will be desperate to level the series after a disappointing performance in the first T20I. The home team struggled in the middle order while chasing 195, with Babar Azam getting out for a duck. The batting lineup needs to take more responsibility.
On the positive side, Mohammad Nawaz was excellent with both bat and ball, and the spinners did well to pull things back in the middle overs. Pakistan has a good record at Gaddafi Stadium against South Africa, winning two out of three previous T20Is here.
South Africa, on the other hand, will look to maintain their winning momentum. Reeza Hendricks was in brilliant form in the first match, and their bowling attack did well to defend 194 runs. The visitors will be confident they can seal the series with a win in Lahore.
The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium should offer another high-scoring contest, and the team winning the toss will likely choose to bat first to put pressure on the opposition.
Match Prediction
While Pakistan has home advantage and a good record at this venue, South Africa’s recent form and confidence from the first match make them favorites. However, with players like Babar Azam looking to bounce back and the home crowd behind them, Pakistan can level the series if their top order fires.
Prediction: South Africa slight favorites, but expect a close contest at Gaddafi Stadium.