Pakistan is set to face South Africa in Faisalabad
South Africa is on a tour of Pakistan for a long cricket series in 2025. They have played a Test series and a T20I series against Pakistan in the month of October 2025. Now, Pakistan is set to face South Africa in Faisalabad for a three-match ODI series at Iqbal Stadium. South Africa managed to level the Test series after a famous win in the Rawalpindi Test. Pakistan won the T20I series against the Proteas after winning the 3rd T20I in Lahore due to bowling dominance. The star pacer, Shaheen Afridi, will lead the Pakistani team in this ODI series against South Africa. It will be a huge challenge for Pakistan to give quality performances in the ODI series because they have a struggling record.
Mohammad Rizwan has been removed from ODI captaincy due to his low record in the New Zealand and West Indies tour. This article will figure out Pakistan’s ODI squad against the Proteas for the Pak vs SA ODI series 2025. Let’s analyze the potential of the players by understanding their stats for the ODI series against South Africa.
Opening Pair: Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub
The opener, Fakhar Zaman, has come back after recovering from the injury, and he was absent from the West Indies tour. Fakhar Zaman’s stats are impressive in the ODIs as he is the fastest to get 1000 runs in the format. He has aggressive intent in the ODI format, and he will open the batting for Pakistan along with Saim Ayub. Saim Ayub has performed in the T20I series in red-hot form against the Proteas. He made 108 runs in three innings against South Africa in T20Is and was the leading run-scorer. They can both give an aggressive start to Pakistan to dominate the opposition in the ODI series in Faisalabad.
Also Read: Pakistan Appointed Shaheen Afridi as the New ODI Captain
Babar Azam Stats at 3
The star of Pakistan, Babar Azam, has made an impressive comeback in the T20Is for Pakistan against South Africa. He has dominated in the ODI format for many years, and now he is performing well in the home series. Babar Azam does not have good memories of the previous tour against the West Indies in 2025. He just managed to bag 56 runs during this tour of the West Indies at just 18.67. Babar Azam has no problem at this position, as is evident from his previous stats at 3.
Babar Azam has smashed 5601 runs at this position in his 110 ODIs with an impressive average of 58.34. His average of runs justifies his suitability for this position, as he is the backbone of Pakistan cricket. Babar Azam will support Pakistan in ODIs against South Africa with his current form in the T20I cricket series.
Babar’s Record vs SA in ODIs
Matches = 15
Runs = 744
Average = 57. 23
Rizwan and Salman’s Brilliance at 4 and 5
The former captain, Mohammad Rizwan, had a brilliant performance in ODIs at number 4 for Pakistan. His ODI career is full of memorable innings, but his current form is under scrutiny. Rizwan made 2040 runs in 53 innings while playing at this spot in ODIs.
Rizwan’s Stats in the Previous Three ODI series
Runs = 190
Average = 23.75
Strike Rate = 65.06
Rizwan’s stats show his low form in ODI cricket, and he has the chance to prove himself in this Pak vs SA ODI series. Pakistan is considering this spot for the ICC World Cup 2027 preparations on the basis of Rizwan’s performance. So, he will have to deliver in this series to save his place in the ODI squad.
Salman Ali Agha has an impressive strike rate of 95.59 for the fifth batting spot to rotate the strike. He will be destructive in the late innings and also brilliant with bowling options.
Salman Stats at 5
Innings = 20
Runs = 693
Average = 38.05
Strike Rate = 95.59
Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz Suitability
Hasan Nawaz has not had a good past in the Asia Cup 2025, but his performance in the West Indies tour was impressive. His ability of power-hitting makes him appropriate in the middle order for Pakistan against South Africa. He made 112 runs in just three innings during the Caribbean tour this year.
The all-round performances from Mohammad Nawaz are the key factors for Pakistan in the ODI format. Mohammad Nawaz is one of the quality all-round spin bowlers in white-ball cricket for Pakistan in recent times.
Mohammad Nawaz’s performance in white-ball cricket this year so far:
Matches = 23
Wickets = 29
Runs = 338
Pakistan’s Pace Attack against South Africa
Faheem Ashraf is a better option for Pakistan than Haris Rauf in Pakistan’s conditions due to his bowling variations. He can also give batting support to Pakistan in pressure situations due to early losses. His performance in the Asia Cup 2025 and in the current series has been brilliant.
Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s new ODI captain, and pacer Naseem Shah will lead the pace attack in the opening spell. Both bowlers are known for their early breakthroughs and dominate from the start. They will give Pakistan a great start to control the game in home conditions at Faisalabad.
Also Read: Faisalabad will host ODI matches in 17 years
The Pitch, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
The pitch of the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, is a batting pitch as it is covered with grass. It is difficult for the batters to perform when it gets old due to spin and pace dominance. So, batting first is a better choice to perform well and control the game.
Pakistan’s Possible 11 Vs SA
Shaheen Afridi (Captain)
Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan
Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz
Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf
Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad