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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
Updated 06 September 2025
Usama Iqbal Khawaja

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

Topics: Pakistan vs South Africa Pakistan cricket team Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Faisalabad Cricket Stadium

After mosque bombing, Islamabad intensifies patrols, surveillance during Ramadan prayers, iftar

Updated 7 sec ago
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After mosque bombing, Islamabad intensifies patrols, surveillance during Ramadan prayers, iftar

  • Police chief orders enhanced screening at capital city’s entry and exit points after Feb. 6 blast
  • Safe City cameras to monitor Islamabad round the clock as special pre-iftar traffic plan enforced
Updated 7 sec ago
Waseem Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Police in the federal capital have been instructed to step up patrols, surveillance and checkpoint inspections during Ramadan prayers and iftar hours, an official statement said on Wednesday, as the city’s police chief chaired a security meeting following a deadly mosque bombing earlier this month.

Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi directed senior officers to ensure “foolproof security” across the city, with special focus on mosques during peak congregational times.

The meeting comes after a suicide bombing at a mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad on Feb. 6 that killed at least 32 people. The blast targeted the Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque and imambargah during Friday prayers and was claimed by Daesh that said one of its militants detonated an explosive vest inside the congregation.

“All officers must ensure their presence in the field and properly brief personnel about their duties,” Rizvi said, according to a statement issued by the police.

“Strict security arrangements should be ensured at mosques, imambargahs and Ramadan bazaars,” he continued. “Special patrols should be conducted during Fajr, iftar and Taraweeh hours.”

The police chief said Safe City cameras would be used for round-the-clock effective monitoring across the capital.

In addition to security measures, he reviewed traffic arrangements and directed strict implementation of a special traffic plan during pre-iftar rush hours, calling for additional deployment on major roads and at commercial centers.

Islamabad, which has generally seen fewer large-scale militant attacks than some other parts of Pakistan, has faced sporadic security incidents in the past, prompting authorities to tighten monitoring during religious gatherings and other high-risk events.

Topics: Islamabad Mosque attack Terrorism in Pakistan islamabad police

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