RAWALPINDI: Pakistan is all set to kick off the T20i series against South Africa with first match to be played today at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The first T20 of three-match series between the two side will be played in Rawapindi at 8 pm local time, with toss scheduled at 7.30 pm.
Babar Azam and Naseem Shah are back in action with Pakistan announcing their full-strength squad for the three-match T20 series.
Since January 2025, Salman Agha has topped the batting charts for Pakistan in the T20 format. Agha has made 4 half-centuries and scored 511 runs in 26 matches with a strike rate of 114.57
On the other hand, South Africa has decided to rest key players for the T20I series. With David Miller ruled out due to injury, Donovan Ferreira will lead the team for the three-match series. Dewald Brewis has led South Africa’s T20 batting charts with 340 runs in 11 outings and a strike rate of 197.67
The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs, which will be staged at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on November 4, 6, and 8.
Before the T20I series, both sides featured in the two-match Test series part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, which ended 1-1. The hosts won the first Test by 93 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium, while the tourists fought back to win the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium by eight wickets.
In T20Is, both sides have faced each other 24 times, winning 12 each. In three T20Is played in Pakistan, the hosts have won twice, while South Africa have emerged victorious once. For Pakistan, in the current T20I squad, Babar Azam has scored 447 runs in 13 outings against South Africa, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has grabbed 13 wickets in 12 matches.
Babar, who has featured in 128 T20I matches for Pakistan, requires eight runs to become the leading run-getter in this format in the world.
Salman Ali Agha Media Talk
Talking to the media, Salman Ali Agha said that players who are not part of the team also stay in the team’s loop so that communication and harmony are maintained.
He said that his opinion is also included in the selection committee, and all decisions are made through teamwork.
He said that the national cricket team will take to the field for the first time wearing pink shirts to raise awareness about cancer.
The captain said that the team is learning from its mistakes and moving forward, and they themselves make decisions during most of the matches, so there is no need to send a message to the coach.
Salman Ali Agha said that more attention is being paid to the batting department while special efforts are being made to improve the bowling as well. According to him, the team needs more all-rounders to maintain balance.
Regarding his performance, he said that he is constantly focusing on improvement.
On the question about Babar Azam, the captain said that Babar is a world-class player and his presence will be very beneficial for the team.
Pakistan Team to Wear Pink Jerseys for Cancer Awareness
The Pakistan Cricket Board introduced a special pink theme kit for the Pakistan cricket team for the first T20 match against South Africa.
In the first T20 match against South Africa in Rawalpindi on October 28, the national players will participate in the breast cancer awareness campaign by wearing pink jerseys.
Umpires, staff and commentators will also support the campaign by wearing pink ribbons.
PCB CEO Sameer Ahmed Syed says that we are proud to use the popularity of cricket for social awareness, and timely diagnosis can save countless lives.
The stumps used in the match will also have pink branding, while awareness messages will be displayed around the field.
This is the first time that the PCB has included a breast cancer awareness campaign in an international match.
