The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Karachi starts today. It is the first time South Africa has toured the country since 2007.
International cricket was effectively halted in Pakistan in 2009 when Islamic militants attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan national team. Eight Pakistanis, including six policemen, were killed in the attack, and six Sri Lankan cricketers were wounded.
For years after the attack, Pakistan played their ‘home’ matches in the United Arab Emirates, with international cricket returning to the country only in 2017 when a World XI team toured for a series of limited-overs matches.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and West Indies have all also toured since the World XI series, with South Africa being the latest team to return to Pakistan.
South Africa is scheduled to play two Test matches (the first of which starts today) and three T20 internationals.
South Africa will be hoping for a repeat of the result of the Proteas’ last tour, when Pakistan was beaten 1-0 in the Test series and 3-2 in the one-day international series.
Both teams are in something of a rebuilding phase. A number of stalwarts have retired from South African cricket in recent years, while Pakistan has suffered a string of poor results in recent years. The matches are expected to be closely fought with neither team an out-and-out favourite.
[Picture: Alessandro Bogliari on Unsplash]