Shaheen Shah Afridi was just eight years old when Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad last hosted an international match. Seventeen years later, on 4 November 2025, history will be made when Shaheen not only captains Pakistan in his debut ODI but also leads the home side in the city’s long-awaited return to international cricket. Pakistan will take on South Africa in the first of three ODIs, with the second and third games to follow on Thursday and Saturday.

Since making his international debut in September 2018, Shaheen has featured in 66 ODIs, 33 Tests and 94 T20Is, claiming a total of 374 wickets and 13 Player of the Match awards. Yet, despite producing its fair share of cricketing memories, the Iqbal Stadium — which hosted its first Test in 1978 — remains stuck on 25 Tests and 16 ODIs.

The reason lies in history. When international cricket turned away from Pakistan in 2009, only Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi were utilised for bilateral matches and the Pakistan Super League. Iqbal Stadium, owned by the city government, was left neglected — its facilities deteriorating, its proud legacy fading, and its international status in danger of being lost forever.

Although the PCB occasionally organised domestic matches to encourage local authorities to invest in the venue’s upkeep, it rightly refrained from funding renovations since the stadium was not its property. Unfortunately, the city administration also failed to act, leaving a ground once steeped in history to fall into disrepair.

That changed when Mohsin Naqvi took over as PCB Chairman in February 2024. Among his earliest and most impactful initiatives was the launch of the Champions One-Day Cup in September. Leveraging his strong standing within the federal government, funds were secured and upgradation work began in earnest. The event’s success not only revived Iqbal Stadium’s fortunes but also paved the way for the return of international cricket — and possibly, in the near future, the Pakistan Super League.

Chairman Naqvi’s record in infrastructure development is already well established — the rapid renovations of Gaddafi Stadium and the National Bank Stadium are testament to that — but his efforts to restore Iqbal Stadium to international standards will be remembered as one of his most meaningful contributions.

Iqbal Stadium has witnessed countless memorable moments over the decades. Centuries by Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Asif Iqbal and Gundappa Viswanath in the inaugural Test of October 1978; Abdul Qadir’s stunning six for 16 that skittled the mighty West Indies for 53 in 1986; Taslim Arif’s 210 against Australia in 1980; Sanath Jayasuriya’s 253 in 2000; Chris Pringle’s seven for 52 and Waqar Younis’s match figures of 12 for 130 in 1990; South Africa’s tense 53-run victory in 1997; Mohammad Yousuf’s 108 against Zimbabwe in 2008; Mudassar Nazar’s four for 27 in a five-run win over New Zealand in 1984; and South Africa’s narrow 13-run win over Pakistan in 2003 — all remain part of Faisalabad’s rich cricketing history.

The return of international cricket to Faisalabad is more than symbolic. It advances the PCB’s mission to spread, promote and develop cricket across the country while boosting local economies and creating employment opportunities for residents. This is precisely the kind of long-term, visionary work expected of cricket administrators — and in this regard, Mohsin Naqvi has ticked a major box. One hopes Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium will soon receive similar attention and resume hosting high-profile matches in the not-too-distant future.

Following a 1-1 drawn Test series and Pakistan’s 2-1 T20I triumph, this ODI leg marks the final chapter of South Africa’s tour. The two sides have previously met three times in ODIs at Faisalabad, with Pakistan winning in 1994 and 2007, and South Africa prevailing in 2003. Overall, Pakistan enjoys an excellent record here — nine wins in 12 matches, with just three defeats against Sri Lanka, South Africa and West Indies.

For Shaheen, this will be a match to cherish as he becomes Pakistan’s 32nd ODI captain. He earlier led Pakistan in five T20Is in New Zealand early last year before Babar Azam returned as T20I captain. Shaheen now replaces Mohammad Rizwan, who remains part of a strong, balanced squad for this series against a South African side missing key players such as Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Ryan Rickelton.

The major attraction for the visitors will be the return of Quinton de Kock, who retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup but made a comeback earlier this year. His experience will be vital for a youthful South African side led by Matthew Breetzke.

On the ICC ODI Team Rankings, Pakistan currently sits just one point ahead of South Africa in fifth place — adding an extra edge to what promises to be an exciting series.

SQUADS:

Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

South Africa: Matthew Breetzke (C), Quinton de Kock, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile