The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday that South Africa’s women’s cricket team would travel Pakistan for the first time in August/September, kicking off a busy 2023/24 international cricket season for Pakistan.
South Africa will play three T20Is and three ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 ODIs in Karachi September 1-14. Pakistan is second on the points table with five wins in nine ODIs (three series), while South Africa has six points from one series of three.
I’m thrilled to return to Pakistan for a bilateral series. I was pleased by Pakistan’s kind hospitality and enthusiastic cricket supporters during the women’s league exhibition matches earlier this year.”
“The guys were kind, it was fantastic to be there and explore the nation. It’ll be a terrific series because Pakistan is usually competitive and dangerous at home. “The ICC Women’s Championship ODIs are very important for women’s cricket, and we all are looking forward to it,” said South Africa skipper Sune Luus.
South Africa’s first international assignment after their incredible ICC Women’s T20 World Cup runners-up performance on home soil in February. After West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Ireland, South Africa will be the fourth high-profile women’s team to tour Pakistan.
“We’re excited to announce the Proteas Women’s inaugural Pakistan visit. This tour showcases the ICC’s Women’s Future Tours Programme and strengthens bilateral cooperation between our nations. This tour will open doors to future partnerships and possibilities.
“These six matches will also allow the Proteas Women’s squad to better establish themselves among international cricket’s elite. “Success on this tour will help us prepare for the upcoming tours and the ICC Women’s T20 and 50-over World Cups in two years,” said Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki.
South Africa has won 76% of matches against Pakistan. South Africa has won 19 of 24 ODIs, with one draw. South Africa has won 11 T20Is against the hosts, losing seven.
Nida Dar will head the South Africa series
“The hectic season begins with the home series against South Africa, my first as captain. I want to finish a century of ODIs and help the team win ICC Women’s Championship points to finish in the top half of the draw.
“However, to achieve this, we will have to play outstandingly well as South Africa is an experienced side that possesses some quality players,” she remarked.
Pakistan will visit Bangladesh in October, New Zealand in November 2023, and England in May 2024 after facing South Africa at home. Pakistan hosts the West Indies in April 2024 before touring England.
In September, the squad will compete at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Pakistan won gold in women’s cricket at the Asian Games in Guangzhou (2010) and Incheon (2014).
I’m excited for the Pakistan women’s cricket team’s hectic year ahead. “These matches will help us gain experience, exposure, and close the gap with the frontrunners,” said Nida.
PCB has announced two emerging series against West Indies (October 2023) and Bangladesh (January 2024). Pakistan U19 will play five T20 matches in Bangladesh and three 50-over and three T20 matches against the West Indies Emerging Team.