PAK vs SA Match Prediction : 1st T20, South Africa tour of Pakistan, 2025

South Africa may be the underdog according to the bookmakers but we think they may be missing a trick. The South African team that lost to Namibia in a one-off matches was missing a number of players. The conditions are also going to be quite different in Pakistan. The home team itself is one that plays outdated T20 cricket and is still struggling to adapt to modern demands.

A mouht watering contest lies in store.

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Pakistan vs South Africa Head-to-Head Record

Each team has two wins in the last five T20Is against the other. The last match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Pakistan vs South Africa Live-streaming and Broadcast

The first T20I between Pakistan and South Africa, held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 28 October 2025, will stream exclusively in India on the FanCode app.

You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbscores.com.

PAK vs SA Team Previews

Pakistan

This Pakistan side has a strong spine of experience with Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz. Afridi ended as the second-highest wicket-taker in this year’s Asia Cup with ten wickets and showed signs of getting back to his best.

The emerging talents of Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed mean that the team is not short on potential match-winners, however, all three of them have not yet cemented themselves on the international stage.

The batting order is going to be interesting and the manner in which the players approach their inning will show a lot about Pakistan's mindset. The tendency to play dot balls is a big weakness and Pakistan's batters are not known for their big hits either.

The bowling attack, headed by left-armer Afridi, is world-class in Pakistan conditions. Faheem Ashraf has reinvigorated himself as a new-ball bowler but whether he can be relied on remains to be seen. The pacer took three wickets in his last T20I innings.

If the top order fires and the bowlers maintain their trademark discipline, this squad has every chance of delivering memorable performances and pushing deep into uncomfortable territory. On an off-day, though, it is equally easy to see Pakistan struggle to get scores beyond par and its bowling proved ineffective against a powerful South African batting lineup.

Pakistan Expected Playing 11

Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

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South Africa

Lhuan-dre Pretorius is still relatively untested at international level. He is paired with the returning Quinton de Kock, who has hardly impressed with only one run in his first T20I innings back. Reeza Hendricks tends to chew up too many dot balls before accelerating. His T20 strike rate just under 130 is uninspiring.

Dewald Brevis brings a lot of hype in this format and his ability to attack spin will be crucial.

The middle order leans heavily on David Miller. His captaincy is unproven internationally and his finishing ability is not what it once was. Miller’s 2024 T20I strike rate of 118 is far from what he’ll require in the death overs.

After Miller, Ferreira and Simelane have had their moments, but still have a long way to go before securing confidence at international level.

Gerald Coetzee has raw pace but can be erratic in white-ball cricket. Coetzee’s T20I economy rate is over 10.5. Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams are giong to be tested on the flat Pakistani wickets for sure.

George Linde offers some spin and control but overall, the spin attack will be thin. For South Africa to win, its batters have to take charge and put the pressure on the Pakistani lineup.

South Africa Expected Playing 11

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, David Miller (c), Donovan Ferreira, Andile Simelane, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams

PAK vs SA Toss Prediction

This is likely to be a bowl-first type of wicket. The previous T20I between these teams which produced a result was won by the South Africans who bowled first.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

Traditionally, the Rawalpindi pitch offers pace and bounce under lights. The quicks should enjoy that early on. Spin is likely to be another key asset to have on this pitch. Dew in the second innings may tilt the balance toward chasing. 158 runs is the average first-innings score at Rawalpindi for completed T20I innings.

Sunny and clear weather, with no chance of rain, is expected. Moderate humidity will also be present.

PAK vs SA: Who Will Win?

Pakistan may be the favorite but we think its makes sense to take a punt on the young South African lineup. Its batting is strong and it has a lot of dynamic power hitters. The experience of someone like Quinton de Kock could also come in very handy.

Bet on South Africa to win.

Pro Tip: Look for Dewald Brevis for the 'To Hit a Six' market. ALso, betting on South Africa to hit more Sixes should also be a pretty straightforward choice.