Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Eye Historic Milestones in Series Opener Against South Africa

Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam and pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi are on the brink of achieving remarkable milestones as they gear up for the first T20I against South Africa later today.

Also related: Where to Watch Pakistan vs South Africa Live Matches 2024

Babar Azam is currently the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history, with 4,192 runs in 126 matches. The prolific batter is just 39 runs away from overtaking India’s Rohit Sharma, who leads the list with 4,231 runs in 159 matches.

Joining this conversation is Virat Kohli, who recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket alongside Rohit Sharma following India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. Kohli ranks third on the list with 4,188 runs from 125 matches.

Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi is closing in on another major milestone. The fast bowler is just three wickets shy of becoming the third Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20I cricket. Achieving this feat would also place Afridi among an elite group of 19 bowlers worldwide, and notably as the eighth fast bowler to achieve this distinction.

After today’s opening T20I in Durban, the action will continue with the second match in Centurion on December 13, and the series will conclude with the final T20I in Johannesburg on December 14.

Pakistan vs South Africa: Upcoming ODI and Test Series

Following the T20I series, the two teams will compete in a three-match ODI series. The first ODI will be held on December 17 in Paarl, with the second and third matches set for December 19 and December 22 in Cape Town and Johannesburg, respectively.

Pakistan and South Africa will then transition into a two-match Test series. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Centurion on December 26, while the second Test will start on January 3 in Cape Town.

T20I Squads for Both Teams

Pakistan Squad:

• Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk)
• Abrar Ahmed
• Babar Azam
• Haris Rauf
• Jahandad Khan
• Mohammad Abbas Afridi
• Mohammad Hasnain
• Muhammad Irfan Khan
• Omair Bin Yousuf
• Saim Ayub
• Salman Ali Agha
• Shaheen Shah Afridi
• Sufyan Moqim
• Tayyab Tahir
• Usman Khan (wk)

South Africa Squad:

• Heinrich Klaasen (c)
• Ottneil Baartman
• Matthew Breetzke
• Donovan Ferreira
• Reeza Hendricks
• Patrick Kruger
• George Linde
• Kwena Maphaka
• David Miller
• Anrich Nortje
• Nqaba Peter
• Ryan Rickelton
• Tabraiz Shamsi
• Andile Simelane
• Rassie van der Dussen

Fans can follow the first T20I match and the series live on ARY ZAP. With both teams in strong form, today’s game promises thrilling action as these milestones and key series battles unfold.