JOHANNESBURG: Pakistan will play three One-day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals in South Africa during April, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Friday.

The Pakistan squad will stay in a bio-secure environment and matches will be confined to two venues -- SuperSport Park in Centurion and the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The tourists will play the ODIs on April 2, 4 and 7 after which the four Twenty20 games will be held from April 10 to 16.

The series will bring to an end a home international season heavily affected by Covid-19. England cut short a white-ball tour in December over fears about the virus and Australia withdrew from a planned three-Test tour which was due to take place in March.

The only home international matches played by South Africa during the 2020-21 season so far were three T20 games against England and two Tests against Sri Lanka.

South Africa recently completed a two-Test series in Pakistan and are currently involved in a T20 International series in that country.

CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith expressed delight at the confirmation of the limited-overs series.

“We are delighted to finally confirm the dates and full schedule for Pakistan’s white-ball tour to South Africa,” Smith said.

“Pakistan have proved their status over the years as one of the most dangerous limited-overs teams and I’m sure they will give the Proteas a stern test on the Highveld. We will also have the much-anticipated ‘Betway Pink ODI’ take place during the tour and that is something further to look forward to for the players, the fans and all those associated with this iconic day.”

Smith also thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for agreeing to play an additional T20 International after it had originally been planned that just three matches in that format would be held.

“We are grateful to the PCB for agreeing to our request within a short period of time to increase the length of the trip by adding in a fourth T20, which will give us some much-needed additional international content,” the CSA official remarked.

Our Sports Reporter from Lahore adds: The PCB on Friday announced the schedule of their forthcoming series in South Africa during which they will play three ICC World Cup Super League matches.

These ODIs will count towards automatic qualification for the 2023 ICC World Cup.

“Pakistan men’s national team will depart for Johannesburg on March 26 and will play the three Super League [ODI] matches on April 2, 4 and 7 [in South Africa],” read a PCB press release issued on Friday.

This will be Pakistan’s second series in the ICC World Cup Super League. After defeating Zimbabwe 2-1 in November 2020, Pakistan are sitting fifth on the table. In contrast, this will be South Africa’s first outing in the league. In the 13-side league, each side have to play eight series over a two-year period, including four at home and as many away.

The tour to South Africa was originally planned for October 2020, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has now been rescheduled for April, prior to Pakistan’s two-Test and three-match T20 series tour to Zimbabwe, which will commence on April 17.

Commenting on the South Africa series, PCB director international cricket, Zakir Khan: “We are delighted to help assist our fellow members in these challenging times. We all have a collective responsibility to look after the game and its welfare together as ICC Members.

“The South Africa-Pakistan relationship is long-standing and mutually valued one, and it was an easy decision for us to accommodate their request. We’re all looking forward to a successful tour.”

Series schedule:

April 2: First ODI, Centurion

April 4: Second ODI, Johannesburg

April 7: Third ODI, Centurion

April 10: First Twenty20, Johannesburg

April 12: Second Twenty20, Johannesburg

April 14: Third Twenty20, Centurion

April 16: Fourth T20, Centurion

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2021