Rivalries in cricket are often based around history, competition and the moments that make them unforgettable — and Pakistan vs South Africa perfectly falls in line with this theme. South Africa resumed playing international cricket in the early 1990s and games against Pakistan have been exciting encounters in all formats ever since. Instead we have been treated to some absorbing cricket, including fiery fast-balling spells and match-winning innings under pressure.
This article is a complete summary from Pakistan vs South Africa Cricket Timeline, as it provides an in-depth overview of their matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. There are head-to-head stats, key series time-lines, player comparisons, historic match results and future fixtures — all in one place.
Pakistan vs South Africa Cricket Timeline
Cricket between Pakistan and South Africa officially started in 1992 when South Africa gained its re-admission into cricket. Both teams, throughout the years, have demonstrated different styles:
- Pakistan: The land of the unpredictable, reverse swing and match winners.
- South Africa: Discipline, good pace attacks and consistency.
In all formats, their clashes have been hard-fought, even and fine-margined.
Historical Overview
Early Years (1992–2000)
- First official series followed in 1992
- Early Test matches were dominated by South Africa
- Pakistan performed well in the shorter formats of cricket.
Competitive Phase (2001–2010)
- Pakistan improved their overseas performances
- A few closely fought Test and ODI series
- NBA The rise of star players on both teams
Modern Era (2011–Present)
- Regular bilateral series and ICC tournament encounters
- Solid displays by Pakistan at home and South Africa in swinging conditions
- The phenomenon of T20 internationals intensifies the rivalry
Head-to-Head Summary Table (All Formats)
| Format | Matches Played | Pakistan Wins | South Africa Wins | Draw/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 28 | 6 | 15 | 7 |
| ODIs | 82 | 33 | 48 | 1 |
| T20Is | 23 | 12 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 133 | 51 | 74 | 8 |
South Africa lead the overall head-to-head, but Pakistan are always competitive, particularly in T20Is.
Test Match Timeline: Pakistan vs South Africa
Against Pakistan, test cricket has been an extremely strong format for South Africa, especially at home.
Key Phases in Test Rivalry
- South Africa’s home Test record South Africa have been traditionally strong when it comes to playing at home.
- Pakistan stronger in Asian conditions
- Several hard-fought drawn series
Notable Test Series Timeline Table
| Year | Host Country | Series Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | South Africa | SA won 2–1 |
| 2003 | Pakistan | SA won 1–0 |
| 2013 | South Africa | SA won 3–0 |
| 2019 | South Africa | SA won 3–0 |
| 2021 | Pakistan | Drawn 1–1 |
Best Test Match – 2021 (Karachi Test)
The 2021 Karachi Test is no different and will forever be remembered among the most thrilling of the Pakistan vs South Africa cricket history.
Why This Match Was Special
- Pakistan were batting alone on the last day and they had to chase down 88 runs under pressure
- Hundreds from Babar Azam and Fawad Alam
- Lopsided win that evened the series
On the cricket map in this period, Pakistan was starting to believe and this was one of the best finishes in their rivalry.
ODI Match Summary: Pakistan vs South Africa
Pakistan-South Africa ODIs have generally been high-paced and result oriented.
ODI Highlights
- South Africa leads overall head-to-head
- The World cup history shows Pakistan good in knockout matches
- A number of series won in deciders
Notable ODI Series Moments
- Pakistan’s whitewash in UAE (2013)
- The home spin dominance of South Africa
- Close contests in ICC events
T20I Match: Pakistan vs South Africa Cricket Timeline
It’s ironic that the shortest format has given us the most evenly matched encounter.
| Stat | Pakistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 23 | 23 |
| Wins | 12 | 11 |
| Highest Team Score | 205 | 210 |
| Closest Finish | 1 run win | 2 wickets win |
Pakistan’s consistency in T20Is makes it particularly thrilling whenever the two sides face off.
Player Stats Comparison (All Formats)
Top Run-Scorers
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 2,500+ |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 2,100+ |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 1,900+ |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 1,800+ |
Top Wicket-Takers
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Dale Steyn | South Africa | 70+ |
| Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 65+ |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 60+ |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 58+ |
Series Wins Summary (All Formats)
| Format | Pakistan Series Wins | South Africa Series Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Tests | 2 | 9 |
| ODIs | 6 | 10 |
| T20Is | 5 | 4 |
South Africa leads overall, but Pakistan has narrowed the gap significantly in white-ball cricket.
Major Tournament Clashes
Pakistan versus South Africa Pakistan and South Africa have played at least one match in every major ICC tournament.
Memorable Tournament Matches
- 1999 World Cup: South Africa in dramatic win
- Pakistan’s defensive bowling masterclass at the 2015 World Cup
- 2023 World Cup: High scoring nail-biter with some brilliant batting performances
Tournament competition brings situations under pressure and lifetime memories.
Match Venues and Their Significance
Popular Venues in South Africa
- Centurion – Fast, bouncy, bowler-friendly
- Cape Town – Swing-friendly conditions
- Johannesburg – High-scoring ground
Key Venues in Pakistan
- Karachi – Batting paradise
- Lahore – Balanced conditions
- Rawalpindi – Seam-friendly early sessions
Host has always been decisive in the results.
Memorable Moments
Some memorable dates in the Pakistan vs South Africa cricket saga which define the current chapter:
- Saeed Anwar’s dominant ODI innings
- AB de Villiers’ record-breaking centuries
- Wasim Akram’s deadly 90s spell
- Babar Azam’s consistency across formats
- Nail-biting T20 finishes in the past few years
Instances such as these are a testament to the level and depth of this rivalry.
Future Fixtures (2025 & Beyond)
Going forward, it is anticipated that both boards will schedule:
- Bilateral ODI and T20I series
- Test series as part of the World Test Championship.
- Possible 2025 Champions Trophy matchups
New Zealand stave off England in tough contestWith up and coming talent coming through both sides, returns contests offer even greater competitiveness.
FAQs
Q1. When Pakistan and South Africa first competed against each other in cricket?
They had first played in 1992, shortly after the end of South Africa’s isolation from international cricket.
Q2. For which team the total number of wins is higher?
South Africa’s overall head-to-head record, in all formats of the game, against England is most a wins.
Q3. Which formation is more competitive of the two sides?
T20 Internationals are the most evenly matched format for Pakistan and South Africa.
Q4. What is the one Test match between them you can never forget?
The 2021 Karachi Test It is arguably the most memorable of them all.
Conclusion
The Pakistan and South Africa Cricket Timeline chronicles tales of skill, comebacks, and changing stakes. Absolutely.” South Africa has historically had the edge on Pakistan, but Pakistan have been closing the gap — particularly in limited-overs cricket. Test, ODI and T20 series have been competed with great challenge, providing memorable moments to the cricket world.
Having both teams transition into a new wave of players in the tank AND support linesmups, we can expect to see much more competitive matches for years to come, making this rivalry one that I’m keeping an eye on.
If you enjoy detailed cricket rivalries, you may also like exploring our complete coverage of historic international cricket timelines and head-to-head records on Bowlingspeed.
