Pakistan to host South Africa in October, Faisalabad to stage first ODIs in 17 years

Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi (left) celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee (center) during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 27, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 06 September 2025
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Pakistan to host South Africa in October, Faisalabad to stage first ODIs in 17 years

  • Tour begins with two-Test series in Lahore and Rawalpindi as part of ICC World Test Championship cycle
  • Teams will play three T20Is before concluding their competition with ODIs from Nov. 4-8 in Faisalabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host South Africa for a multi-format tour in October, with the first One Day International to be played in Faisalabad in 17 years, the country’s cricket board said on Saturday.

The tour marks the start of Pakistan’s new cycle in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.

South Africa, the reigning Test champions, will open the two-match series at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium from Oct. 12-16, the venue’s first five-day contest since its renovation earlier this year to stage the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The second Test will be held at Rawalpindi from Oct. 20-24. South Africa last toured Pakistan in January 2021, when they lost a two-Test series 2-0.

“We are looking forward to welcome South Africa for the opening series of our ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign,” Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed said in a statement.

“Starting the new cycle against the current Test champions will provide quality cricket for our players and fans,” he continued. “The return of ODI cricket to Faisalabad after 17 years is 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.”

The PCB said in a statement following the red-ball matches, both sides will contest three Twenty20 internationals (T20Is) from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, beginning in Rawalpindi before shifting to Lahore.

The tour will conclude with three ODIs from Nov. 4-8 at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, where Pakistan last played an ODI in April 2008, defeating Bangladesh by seven wickets.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Oct. 12-16: First Test, Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Oct. 20-24: Second Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Oct. 28: First T20I, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Oct. 31: Second T20I, Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Nov. 1: Third T20I, Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Nov. 4: First ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Nov. 6: Second ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Nov. 8: Third ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad


JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

Updated 24 min 59 sec ago
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JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

  • MoU focuses on awareness and development of compliant virtual-asset solutions in Pakistan
  • Pakistan introducing licensing regime for crypto firms as it formalizes digital-asset oversight

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani financial-technology platform JazzCash has signed a memorandum of understanding with global cryptocurrency exchange Binance in the United Arab Emirates to explore cooperation on virtual-asset use and education in Pakistan, the company said on Wednesday.

The agreement sets a framework for discussions on awareness campaigns and future digital-asset products that would comply with Pakistan’s emerging crypto regulations. The move signals growing engagement between global blockchain companies and Pakistani fintechs as authorities shift toward formal licensing of the sector.

Pakistan has spent the past year drafting rules to regulate the fast-expanding market for digital coins and tokens, requiring virtual-asset service providers to obtain government approval. Officials say the transition is aimed at curbing money-laundering and terror financing risks, boosting transparency and encouraging responsible innovation.

“JazzCash has always championed technologies that expand financial access while promoting secure and inclusive participation in the digital economy," JazzCash Chief Executive Officer Murtaza Ali said. 

“By entering into this exploratory MoU with Binance, we are advancing our efforts to understand how global digital-asset trends can support Pakistan’s evolving regulatory landscape. We aim to engage responsibly, support regulatory progress, and advance opportunities that build trust, transparency and innovation for our customers.”

The MoU does not establish a commercial partnership, but marks one of the most high-profile engagements between Pakistan’s fintech sector and a global crypto exchange as the country moves toward regulated digital-asset adoption.

Binance welcomed the cooperation, framing it as part of Pakistan’s shift toward regulated digital-asset activity.

"With regulatory frameworks like [Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority] PVARA paving the way, this collaboration represents a significant step toward expanding financial inclusion and empowering more people to access the benefits of blockchain technology in a secure and compliant environment," Binance Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Conlan said.

Earlier this month, Binance executives met Pakistani finance officials to discuss digital-payments reform, blockchain-skills training and the potential for Web3-linked jobs. Pakistan also set up the Pakistan Crypto Council and formed PVARA this year to license and supervise crypto-asset service providers.