International cricket returns to Faisalabad after 17 years

ISLAMABAD: International cricket returns to Faisalabad’s historic Iqbal Stadium after 17 years, as Pakistan face South Africa in the opening match of a three-match ODI series starting Tuesday (today). The first ODI will begin at 3pm local time.

The last international fixture at the venue took place on April 11, 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets. Since its inauguration, the stadium has hosted 16 ODIs, including four World Cup matches, one in 1987 and three in 1996, making it one of Punjab’s most iconic cricket venues.

Pakistan endured a six-year exile from international cricket after the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. During that period, the national side played its home matches in the United Arab Emirates, before the gradual return of international teams to Pakistan from 2015 onwards.

However, Faisalabad remained off the international circuit for over a decade due to poor infrastructure and outdated facilities. Over the past three years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local authorities have made steady improvements, upgrading player facilities, enhancing security arrangements, relaying the outfield, and refurbishing floodlights and practice areas to meet international standards.

The resumption of international cricket is being hailed as a major milestone for the city’s passionate fans, who have long awaited the return of global action.

At Iqbal Stadium, Pakistan have played 12 ODIs, winning nine and losing three. South Africa, meanwhile, have featured in five matches at the venue, winning two. Overall, the two sides have met 87 times in ODIs, with Pakistan winning 34 and South Africa 52, while one match ended without a result. In Pakistan, both teams have shared equal success, eight wins each out of 16 contests.

In Faisalabad specifically, the two sides have clashed three times, with Pakistan winning in 1994 and 2007, and South Africa claiming victory in 2003.

The series follows an exciting Test and T20I campaign, with the two-match Test series ending 1-1 and Pakistan clinching the T20I series 2-1.

Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan for the first time in ODIs. Speaking to the media after training on Monday, Shaheen said he was excited to see international cricket returning to Faisalabad.

“We are looking forward to performing well against South Africa. The team played good cricket in the T20I series and we aim to carry that momentum into the ODIs.”

Squads:

Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.

South Africa: Matthew Breetzke, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, and Lizaad Williams.