Cricket fans are eagerly waiting as the Pakistan and South Africa 1st T20I Playing XI have been officially announced. Consequently, the opening match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium promises thrilling action. Both teams have selected strong squads, and therefore, fans can expect a high-octane contest from the very first ball.
Pakistan Playing XI:
Pakistan has chosen a well-balanced squad that combines experience with youthful energy. Moreover, Babar Azam returns to the T20I lineup, strengthening the middle order. Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi will lead the pace attack, and Abrar Ahmed will control the spin department. With this lineup, Pakistan aims to dominate the Proteas in both batting and bowling.
| Role | Player |
| Captain | Salman Ali Agha |
| Wicketkeeper | Usman Khan |
| Opener | Sahibzada Farhan |
| Middle-order | Babar Azam |
| Bowlers | Saim Ayub |
| Bowlers | Hasan Nawaz |
| Bowlers | Mohammad Nawaz |
| Bowlers | Shaheen Afridi |
| Bowlers | Mohammad Wasim Jr |
| Bowlers | Abrar Ahmed |
| Bowlers | Salman Mirza |
Furthermore, Pakistan plans to attack with pace during the initial overs and use spin to control the middle overs. In addition, their fielding unit looks sharp and agile, making them a well-rounded side.
South Africa Playing XI:
On the other hand, South Africa has picked a squad full of T20 specialists. Donovan Ferreira will captain the team in David Miller’s absence. Additionally, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks will anchor the batting, while Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger will lead the bowling attack. This combination emphasizes flexibility, aggression, and experience.
| Role | Player |
| Captain | Donovan Ferreira |
| Wicketkeeper | Quinton de Kock |
| Opener | Lhuan-dre Pretorius |
| Middle-order | Reeza Hendricks |
| Bowlers | Tony de Zorzi |
| Bowlers | Dewald Brevis |
| Bowlers | George Linde |
| Bowlers | Bjorn Fortuin |
| Bowlers | Nandre Burger |
| Bowlers | Lizaad Williams |
| Bowlers | Lungi Ngidi |
Moreover, South Africa intends to start aggressively with their top order and maintain pressure with disciplined bowling. Their blend of experienced players and rising stars gives them multiple options to adjust to different match situations.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Shaheen Afridi vs Quinton de Kock – Afridi’s speed will challenge de Kock’s aggressive stroke play.
- Babar Azam vs Lungi Ngidi – Azam needs to handle Ngidi’s bounce to set a solid foundation.
- Dewald Brevis vs Abrar Ahmed – Brevis faces Ahmed’s spin, which could tilt the momentum in the middle overs.
In addition, these individual battles could influence the outcome of the match and provide fans with exciting cricketing moments.
Match Details:
- Date: October 28, 2025
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Live Streaming: FanCode (India)
With the Pakistan and South Africa 1st T20I Playing XI finalized, the stage is set for an electrifying encounter. Consequently, fans can expect aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding. Overall, both teams look ready to entertain cricket lovers with a match full of action, strategy, and intense competition.
