South Africa vs Pakistan 2025: Where to Watch & Schedule

Few cricket rivalries pack the shifting momentum of Pakistan vs South Africa. With the 2025 tour just weeks away, fans are juggling schedules, broadcast options, and a head-to-head record that tilts Pakistan’s way by just four wins.

Head-to-head ODIs: Pakistan leads 26-23 · Head-to-head T20Is: South Africa leads 14-10 · Head-to-head Tests: Pakistan leads 15-14 · ICC trophies (South Africa): 1 (1998 Champions Trophy) · ICC trophies (Pakistan): 3 (1992 ODI World Cup, 2009 T20 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy) · Next match: 1st Test, Oct 12–15, 2025, Lahore

Where to Watch South Africa vs Pakistan T20 Live?

TV Broadcast Channels for SA vs PAK Series

In Pakistan, the series will be aired by PTV Sports and Ten Sports, as confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (official press release). South African viewers can tune into SuperSport, the long-time cricket broadcaster in the region. For Indian audiences, the Times of India reported that the Test matches will not have a live telecast in India, though limited coverage may appear on sports news channels (Times of India (Indian daily)).

Live Streaming Platforms and Mobile Apps

According to the same Times of India report, live streaming for Test matches in India will be available on FanCode. International viewers might find coverage on SonyLIV (available in parts of Asia) and Willow TV (USA and Canada). The PCB recommended checking official broadcast partners for each country as the series approaches (PCB (official website)).

How to Watch Pakistan vs South Africa T20 Outside Pakistan and South Africa

For fans in the UK, Sky Sports typically holds rights for Pakistan home series. Australian viewers can expect coverage on Foxtel or Kayo. Always verify availability closer to match days, as streaming rights sometimes shift between broadcasters. Follow the PCB (governing body) for official streaming links.

Why this matters: Without a centralised streaming guide, many viewers may end up scrambling an hour before the toss. Bookmarking PCB’s official announcement could save a missed session.

Head-to-Head: Pakistan vs South Africa – Who Leads Overall?

Head-to-Head Record in Tests

In Test cricket, Pakistan holds a narrow edge: 15 wins to South Africa’s 14, with 10 draws, according to ESPNcricinfo (established cricket statistics). The margin reflects a rivalry where both sides have dominated on home soil, but Pakistan’s recent resurgence at home has tipped the balance.

What this means: Pakistan’s home advantage in Tests has been a decisive factor, and the 2025 series in Lahore and Rawalpindi could extend that lead.

Head-to-Head Record in ODIs

In one-day internationals, Pakistan leads 26-23 (ESPNcricinfo (established cricket statistics)). South Africa won the first ODI in 1992, but Pakistan has won six of the last ten meetings.

The pattern: Pakistan’s recent ODI form against South Africa suggests they have adapted better to conditions, though the margin remains slim.

Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

In the shortest format, South Africa has the upper hand: 14 wins to Pakistan’s 10 (ESPNcricinfo (established cricket statistics)). South Africa’s pace attack has historically troubled Pakistan in T20Is, but the gap has narrowed in recent years.

The implication: South Africa’s T20I dominance is the format’s defining narrative, but Pakistan’s recent improvements could flip the script in the 2025 T20Is.

The trade-off: Pakistan’s advantage in Tests and ODIs is real, but South Africa has won the last two T20I series. The upcoming tour’s mix of all three formats means neither side can claim overall dominance — each format tells a different story.

Has South Africa Ever Won an ICC Trophy?

South Africa’s Only ICC Title: 1998 Champions Trophy

South Africa has won just one ICC trophy in its history: the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now the Champions Trophy), defeating West Indies in the final. The team has never reached an ODI World Cup final, a fact that continues to frustrate supporters. For confirmation, the ICC (international governing body) lists South Africa as champions of that edition.

Pakistan’s Three ICC Titles

Pakistan has three ICC trophies: the 1992 ODI World Cup (against England), the 2009 T20 World Cup (against Sri Lanka), and the 2017 Champions Trophy (against India). The 1992 triumph is especially storied, with Imran Khan’s team scripting a dramatic turnaround from a group-stage slump. Source: ICC (global cricket authority) and Wikipedia (community-maintained encyclopedia).

Comparisons of ICC Performances in the Last Decade

Since 2015, South Africa has reached semi-finals in three ICC events (World Cup 2015, 2019, and T20 World Cup 2021) but never the final. Pakistan, meanwhile, won the 2017 Champions Trophy and reached the T20 World Cup final in 2022. Neither has won the World Test Championship (2021 or 2023). The pattern: Pakistan converts once a decade; South Africa falls short at the closing stage.

What this means: For South African players and fans, the weight of “chokers” label is rooted in data — no other team with South Africa’s semi-final appearances has zero World Cup finals. The 2025 series won’t change that, but a strong tour could build the confidence needed for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

South Africa vs Pakistan 2025 Series: Full Schedule and Venues

Test Matches: Dates and Venues

• 1st Test: October 12–15, 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)
• 2nd Test: October 20–23, 2025 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi)

ODI and T20I Fixtures (if announced)

The PCB has not yet published the full limited-overs schedule, but the tour runs from October 12 to November 8, 2025. Based on PCB’s tournament page, three T20Is and three ODIs will follow the Tests. Likely venues: Rawalpindi (T20Is) and Faisalabad (ODIs), but these are not yet locked. For updates, check ESPNcricinfo (cricket news & fixtures) and PCB (governing body).

Match Timings and Time Zone Information

The Times of India reported that the first Test toss is scheduled for 10:00 AM IST, with the first ball at 10:30 AM IST (Times of India (Indian daily)). That corresponds to 9:30 AM PKT (Lahore) and 5:30 AM GMT. Limited-overs matches will likely start in the afternoon or evening local time, depending on broadcaster preferences.

The catch: With the limited-overs schedule still unconfirmed, fans planning to attend or stream should keep a buffer in their calendar — especially for the T20Is, which often get rescheduled for prime-time television.

Biggest ODI Wins and Record Performances in South Africa vs Pakistan History

Largest Victory Margins in ODIs

• Biggest win by runs: South Africa defeated Pakistan by 152 runs in 2007 in Centurion. Source: ESPNcricinfo StatsGuru (cricket statistics database).
• Biggest win by wickets: Pakistan has beaten South Africa by 9 wickets on multiple occasions (e.g., 2013 in Dubai, 2021 in Johannesburg). Source: ESPNcricinfo (cricket statistics).

Highest Team Totals

The highest total in the rivalry is 392/6 by South Africa in 2013 (Centurion), powered by AB de Villiers’ 115. Pakistan’s highest is 341 (Sharjah, 2009). Both totals came in high-scoring matches, as per ESPNcricinfo StatsGuru (cricket statistics database).

Memorable Individual Performances

• AB de Villiers’ 128 off 108 in 2013 (Centurion) — also featured the 392 total.
• Wasim Akram’s 5/15 in 1999 (Sharjah) — a spell that dismantled South Africa’s top order.
• Shahid Afridi’s 88-ball 139 in 2010 (Abu Dhabi) — the highest individual score by a Pakistani against South Africa in ODIs.

The implication: When these two teams bat first, they post big totals. But the biggest matches — World Cup and Champions Trophy knockouts — have often been won by the team that bowls first. That pattern suggests captains winning the toss in the 2025 series may lean toward chasing.

The PCB has secured exclusive broadcast rights with PTV Sports and SuperSport, ensuring fans in both nations can follow every ball of the South Africa tour of Pakistan.

— PCB spokesperson (official press release)

The Test matches will not have a live telecast in India, but live streaming will be available on FanCode, according to a report.

— Times of India (Indian daily)

For the Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa, the 2025 tour is more than a bilateral series — it’s a chance to reset the narrative. Pakistan wants to stretch its overall head-to-head lead deeper; South Africa wants to prove its T20I dominance can translate to Test and ODI wins. For the viewer in India using FanCode, or the fan in Johannesburg catching SuperSport, the choice is clear: block out October 12 through November 8, because this rivalry delivers.

Fans looking for detailed breakdowns can refer to the full scorecard and match results for every match of the series.

Frequently asked questions