South Africa vs Pakistan Cricket Timeline – Stats & History
The cricket rivalry between South Africa and Pakistan spans more than three decades, beginning at the 1992 World Cup and growing into a competitive contest across all formats. South Africa holds the advantage in Tests and ODIs, though Pakistan has produced notable wins, particularly on home soil in recent years.
What is the head-to-head record between Pakistan and South Africa in all formats?
122+ combined across Tests (32), ODIs (90), and T20Is (record incomplete in provided data).
South Africa leads: 18 Test wins, 53 ODI wins. Pakistan has 7 Test wins and 36 ODI wins, with 7 draws and 1 no result.
29 February 1992, Brisbane — World Cup ODI. South Africa won by 20 runs after a rain-adjusted chase.
2025/26 Test series in Pakistan: split 1-1. Latest ODI (Nov 2025): Pakistan won by 7 wickets in Faisalabad.
Key insights into the rivalry
- South Africa holds the better overall record in both Tests and ODIs according to the sources available.
- Pakistan has demonstrated a strong home record against South Africa in recent bilateral series.
- The two teams have never met in a Cricket World Cup final.
- The rivalry only began after South Africa’s re-admission to international sport in 1991.
- Test series between the sides have often been decided by home advantage, with few away wins.
- Several all-time greats have shaped the head-to-head, including Wasim Akram, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and Younis Khan.
Snapshot facts table
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| First Test | 19–23 January 1995, Johannesburg — South Africa won by 324 runs |
| First ODI | 29 February 1992, Brisbane (World Cup) — South Africa won by 20 runs (revised target) |
| First T20I | 2 November 2007, Johannesburg (T20 World Cup) — South Africa won by 10 wickets |
| Total Tests | 32 (as per provided data up to 2025/26) |
| Total ODIs | 90 (as per provided data up to Nov 2025) |
| Most recent ODI result | Pakistan won by 7 wickets in Faisalabad, 8 Nov 2025 |
| Most recent Test series | 2025/26 — 2 matches, Pakistan 1, South Africa 1 |
| Highest Test individual score | Graeme Smith — 257 for South Africa (2003) |
| Highest ODI individual score | AB de Villiers — 162* for South Africa (2015) |
| Most wickets across formats | Wasim Akram — 91 wickets for Pakistan |
When did Pakistan and South Africa first play each other?
First ODI — 1992 World Cup
South Africa and Pakistan met for the first time on 29 February 1992 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground during the ICC World Cup. South Africa, batting first, posted a competitive total before rain interrupted play. Pakistan were set a revised target under the Duckworth–Lewis method, and South Africa won by 20 runs. That match marked the beginning of bilateral and multi-format competition between the two sides.
First Test — January 1995
The inaugural Test match between the two nations took place at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from 19 to 23 January 1995. South Africa won convincingly by 324 runs, setting the tone for a Test rivalry that has since seen 32 matches. South Africa have dominated the longer format with 18 wins to Pakistan’s 7, along with 7 draws.
First T20I — November 2007
Pakistan and South Africa played their first Twenty20 International on 2 November 2007 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg during the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup. South Africa won by 10 wickets. The T20I head-to-head record remains incomplete in the provided sources, though the two sides have met regularly in ICC events and bilateral series since.
The rivalry began at a neutral venue — the 1992 World Cup in Australia — before expanding into a bilateral contest from the mid-1990s onward. South Africa’s re-admission to international cricket in 1991 made these encounters possible.
What are the recent series results between Pakistan and South Africa?
South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26
The most recent Test series between the two sides took place in Pakistan during the 2025/26 season. According to the available data, two Tests were played, with each team winning one match. No draws were recorded in that series segment. The ODI leg of that tour included a match on 8 November 2025 in Faisalabad, where Pakistan beat South Africa by 7 wickets.
Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024
During the 2024/25 season, Pakistan toured South Africa for a Test series. South Africa won both Tests, according to the series records provided. That result continued South Africa’s strong home record against Pakistan in the longest format.
Recent ODI form
The overall ODI head-to-head stands at 90 matches, with South Africa winning 53 and Pakistan 36, and one match producing no result. Pakistan’s most recent ODI victory in Faisalabad in November 2025 was by 7 wickets.
The provided search results do not fully itemize the T20I head-to-head between Pakistan and South Africa. While the two sides have met in multiple ICC T20 World Cups and bilateral series, a complete win-loss breakdown is not available in the sources used for this article.
Which players have the most runs and wickets in Pakistan vs South Africa matches?
Statistical records for individual performances are drawn from the available data and may not represent all-time official totals.
Highest individual scores
In Tests, former South Africa captain Graeme Smith scored 257 against Pakistan in 2003. In ODIs, AB de Villiers struck an unbeaten 162 against Pakistan in 2015. In T20Is, Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored 102 not out in 2021.
Leading wicket-taker
Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan captain and left-arm fast bowler, has taken 91 wickets across all formats against South Africa, according to the records cited in the content plan. This makes him the highest wicket-taker in the rivalry among Pakistan players.
Biggest win margins
Pakistan’s largest Test victory over South Africa came by an innings and 93 runs in Rawalpindi in 2021. In ODIs, their biggest win was by 143 runs in Centurion in 2013. In T20Is, the margin stands at 82 runs, achieved in Lahore in 2021.
Pakistan’s biggest wins across all formats have largely been achieved on home soil or at neutral venues in the UAE. South Africa, meanwhile, holds a commanding record at home, particularly in Test cricket, where they have won the majority of bilateral series against Pakistan.
How has the rivalry evolved over the decades?
- 1992: First ODI meeting at the World Cup in Brisbane — South Africa won by 20 runs.
- 1995: First Test series begins — South Africa win the opening Test by 324 runs.
- 1997/98: Two Test series played — Pakistan win one at home; South Africa win one at home.
- 2002/03: South Africa host and win both Tests.
- 2003/04: Pakistan host and win one Test; one drawn.
- 2006/07: South Africa host — win 2 Tests; Pakistan win 1.
- 2007/08: Pakistan host — South Africa win 1 Test; one drawn.
- 2010/11: Series played in UAE — both Tests drawn.
- 2020/21: Pakistan host — win 2 Tests; one draw recorded.
- 2024/25: South Africa host — win both Tests.
- 2025/26: Pakistan host — series split 1-1; Pakistan also win the most recent ODI in Faisalabad.
What information about the rivalry remains unclear or uncertain?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Pakistan and South Africa did not play any official matches before 1992 due to South Africa’s sporting isolation. | The complete T20I head-to-head breakdown is not fully specified in the provided search results. |
| South Africa leads the Test head-to-head: 18 wins, 7 losses, 7 draws (32 matches). | Exact records for abandoned or postponed series (e.g., the 2009 Pakistan home series moved to the UAE) are not fully detailed in the available data. |
| South Africa leads the ODI head-to-head: 53 wins, 36 losses, 1 no result (90 matches). | Some historical match records may be incomplete or aggregated differently across sources. |
What is the historical context behind the Pakistan-South Africa cricket rivalry?
South Africa was readmitted to international cricket in 1991 following the end of apartheid and the country’s sporting isolation. The first bilateral series between Pakistan and South Africa took place in 1995, three years after their initial World Cup meeting. That context shaped the rivalry from the outset: both teams were established Test nations, but South Africa returned with a strong side that quickly competed at the highest level.
The rivalry has produced several iconic matches. The 2013 ODI series in the UAE saw close contests, and the 2022 T20 World Cup encounter added another chapter. Pakistan’s victory in the 2021 Rawalpindi Test — by an innings and 93 runs — remains one of their most dominant performances against South Africa.
Where can readers find reliable sources and records for this rivalry?
The statistical data in this article is drawn from sources including Crictotal’s Pakistan vs South Africa series history, Wikipedia’s record of Pakistan by opponent, and archival video of the first ODI meeting. For official ICC records, visit ICC Rankings and records. For detailed match schedules and results, ESPNcricinfo’s series page and Cricbuzz’s South Africa tour of Pakistan coverage provide current information.
What does the overall record tell us about the rivalry?
The head-to-head record shows a rivalry in which South Africa holds a clear statistical advantage, particularly in Tests and ODIs. Pakistan, however, has proven competitive at home and has produced some of the most memorable individual performances in the fixture. The data from 1992 onward illustrates a contest that has evolved through different eras of cricket, shaped by home conditions, player quality, and the broader context of South Africa’s return to international sport.
Learn more about other international cricket rivalries: New Zealand vs India Timeline – Head-to-Head & Key Matches.
Frequently asked questions about the Pakistan-South Africa cricket rivalry
How many times have Pakistan and South Africa played in World Cups?
They have met 7 times in ODI World Cups as of 2023. South Africa leads that head-to-head 4-3.
Who has the highest individual score in Pakistan vs South Africa matches?
In Tests, Graeme Smith scored 257 for South Africa in 2003. In ODIs, AB de Villiers made 162* in 2015. In T20Is, Babar Azam scored 102* in 2021.
Which Pakistan player has taken the most wickets against South Africa?
Wasim Akram leads with 91 wickets across all formats against South Africa.
What is the biggest win margin for Pakistan against South Africa?
In Tests, by an innings and 93 runs (Rawalpindi, 2021). In ODIs, by 143 runs (Centurion, 2013). In T20Is, by 82 runs (Lahore, 2021).
Have Pakistan and South Africa ever met in a World Cup final?
No. The two teams have never faced each other in a Cricket World Cup final.
When was the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa?
The first Test was played from 19 to 23 January 1995 in Johannesburg. South Africa won by 324 runs.
What is the most recent ODI result between Pakistan and South Africa?
Pakistan won the most recent ODI by 7 wickets in Faisalabad on 8 November 2025.
How many Tests have Pakistan and South Africa played?
As per the data provided, they have played 32 Tests. South Africa has won 18, Pakistan 7, and 7 have been drawn.
How many ODIs have Pakistan and South Africa played?
They have played 90 ODIs. South Africa has won 53, Pakistan 36, and one match had no result.
Are there any tied ODIs between Pakistan and South Africa?
Yes, there have been 3 tied ODIs between the two sides, according to the sources cited in the content plan.
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