Rawalpindi, October 28, 2025: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against South Africa in the opening T20 International (T20I) of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The two sides have faced each other 25 times in T20Is, with the head-to-head record perfectly balanced at 12 wins apiece.
Both teams enter the series with contrasting emotions. Pakistan are coming off a disappointing run in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, where they lost to arch-rivals India three times, including the final. South Africa, meanwhile, suffered a shock defeat to Namibia earlier this month — their first-ever loss to the neighbours in international cricket — in a one-off T20I at Windhoek.
The Proteas have also been hit by injuries, with senior batter David Miller and fast bowler Gerald Coetzee ruled out of the white-ball leg of the tour.
The two teams last met in a bilateral T20I series in December 2024, which South Africa won 2-0, as the third fixture was washed out due to rain. Historically, Pakistan have held an edge in recent contests, securing series wins in 2020–21 and 2021, along with a memorable victory over the Proteas during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.
In a show of solidarity with breast cancer awareness, the Pakistan team are donning special pink jerseys for the series opener. The initiative is part of the Pink Ribbon Pakistan campaign, observed globally during #PINKtober.
In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the gesture aims to raise awareness about early detection and screening for breast cancer. Players from South Africa and match officials will also wear pink ribbons, while commentators and coaching staff are participating in the campaign. The stumps at the Rawalpindi Stadium have also been painted pink.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board takes immense pride in using the power and reach of cricket to create awareness about causes that affect our society,” said PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed. “Through the Pink Ribbon campaign, we aim to highlight the importance of early detection and regular screening for breast cancer, which can save countless lives.”
Cricket’s connection with the pink campaign has deep roots. South Africa host a “Pink ODI” annually to support breast cancer awareness, while Australia’s Sydney Test features “Jane McGrath Day” in memory of Jane McGrath, late wife of former pacer Glenn McGrath.
Following a 1–1 draw in the preceding Test series, the three T20Is are being closely watched as both teams look to build momentum ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
