Pak vs SA ODI Series 2025: Cricket Returns to Faisalabad

ODI cricket in 2025 feels a little like an old favorite that’s fallen out of trend. And yet here we are, Pakistan and South Africa meeting under bright Faisalabad lights, hoping to remind fans why this format still matters.

Faisalabad last saw international cricket 17 years ago. That’s a generation of fans who grew up hearing stories, not memories. Now the city breathes again, its streets humming with excitement, its Iqbal Stadium finally dusted off for the big stage. To be fair, few thought this day would come so soon after the venue’s long exile.

There’s a strange charm about ODI cricket these days. It’s not as fast as T20, not as deep as Test cricket. But it still has room for rhythm, momentum, and story. The problem? Most teams don’t quite know what to do with it in between World Cups.

For Pakistan, it’s about confidence. After two rough away tours, they return with a full squad, a packed stadium, and the memory of what it feels like to win at home.

For South Africa, it’s about opportunity. A younger side, patched with experience, trying to make sense of a format that keeps slipping through global attention.

The last time Faisalabad hosted a major match, some of today’s players were barely in school. Now they walk into a stadium where nostalgia mixes with new energy. 

Shaheen Shah Afridi leads a team that looks balanced on paper, maybe even dangerous. Fakhar Zaman’s back from injury. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are finally playing together again. It’s only the ninth time since the 2023 Asia Cup that all three have shared the new ball. When they do, something exciting happens. 

On the other end, South Africa is a team that’s quietly rebuilt after a strong Champions Trophy run. Quinton de Kock is back un-retired and unfazed, his presence alone lifting the batting order.

But it’s Matthew Breetzke, the young captain, who carries the real weight. His calm energy contrasts with Pakistan’s fiery approach. When he walked out for training, a few fans shouted his name. He grinned. It’s not often a South African skipper gets that reaction in Pakistan.

South Africa’s bowling, though, remains their biggest puzzle. 

There’s something about cricket returning to an old venue. It’s not just the sound or the colors. It’s the memory of what used to be. The smell of samosas near the main gate, the school kids waving cardboard flags, the echo of commentary from portable radios, all of it feels almost cinematic.

In the larger cricket calendar, these matches might seem small. But for Pakistan, there’s value in rediscovery. For South Africa, it’s about resilience. For Faisalabad, it’s a revival.

That’s the thing about cricket, sometimes the stories aren’t about who wins but about who returns. Suddenly, the ODI cricket revival narrative has a heartbeat again. Every boundary cheered, every wicket celebrated, adds a layer to that comeback.

The world might be watching T20 leagues and upcoming franchise auctions, but here in Faisalabad, it’s something simpler. Grass underfoot. A crowd that waited too long.

For South Africa, every young player has something to prove. For Pakistan, it’s a test of patience and purpose.