Cricket is more than just a game for fans of South Africa and Pakistan—it’s a story of passion, drama, and unforgettable moments. The rivalry between the South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline (the Shaheens) has given us some of the most exciting matches in cricket history. Since their first clash in 1992, these two teams have battled it out in Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), creating a timeline packed with intense competition, stunning performances, and mutual respect. In this article, we’ll take a friendly stroll through their rivalry, breaking it down into key moments, series highlights, and a detailed table that captures their head-to-head history. Whether you’re a lifelong cricket fan or just curious, this is written for everyone to enjoy!
The Beginning: A New Era in 1992
The story of South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline kicked off in 1992, when South Africa returned to international cricket after years of isolation due to apartheid. Their first meeting was during the 1991-92 Benson & Hedges World Cup in Brisbane, Australia. South Africa, led by Kepler Wessels, faced a strong Pakistan side captained by Imran Khan. It was a historic moment for the Proteas, who were back on the world stage after decades away.
In that match, South Africa posted 211 runs in 50 overs, thanks to Andrew Hudson’s solid 54 off 81 balls. Pakistan, despite their talented batting lineup, fell short by 20 runs (adjusted by the Duckworth-Lewis method due to rain). Hudson’s knock earned him the Player of the Match award, and South Africa celebrated their first victory over Pakistan. This game set the tone for a rivalry that would grow fiercer with time.
The 1990s: South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
The 1990s saw South Africa and Pakistan face off regularly as the Proteas found their footing in international cricket. Pakistan, with stars like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, often had the upper hand, especially in limited-overs cricket.
In the 1994-95 Wills Triangular Series, hosted in South Africa, Pakistan showed their class by sweeping the three-match ODI series 3-0. Players like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saleem Malik, and Ijaz Ahmed played match-winning innings, while their bowlers kept South Africa’s batsmen in check. This series was a wake-up call for South Africa, who were still building their team.
The first Test series between the two came in 1994-95, when South Africa toured Pakistan. Pakistan won the one-off Test by 324 runs, with Saleem Malik’s 99 and Wasim Akram’s fiery bowling proving too much for the visitors. South Africa’s struggles in Pakistan’s spin-friendly conditions became a recurring theme in the early years.
However, South Africa started to fight back. In the 1996-97 season, they hosted Pakistan for a three-Test series and won 2-0, thanks to performances from Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock. This was South Africa’s first Test series win over Pakistan, signaling their rise as a cricketing powerhouse.
The 2000s: Iconic Moments South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline Close Contests
The 2000s brought some of the most memorable moments in this rivalry. Both teams were now established forces, with South Africa boasting players like Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, and Dale Steyn, while Pakistan had stars like Shoaib Akhtar, Younis Khan, and Mohammad Yousuf.
One of the greatest matches ever played between the two was the 2006 ODI at Johannesburg, where South Africa chased down a world-record 434 runs set by Australia. While this wasn’t against Pakistan, it showed the Proteas’ batting depth, which they later used to dominate Pakistan in ODIs. In the 2002-03 ODI series in South Africa, the Proteas crushed Pakistan 4-1, with Herschelle Gibbs and Jonty Rhodes leading the charge.
Pakistan, however, had their moments of brilliance. In the 1999-2000 Coca-Cola Cup final in Sharjah, Pakistan beat South Africa by 16 runs. Waqar Younis’ fiery spell of 4 wickets earned him the Player of the Match award, and Pakistan’s batting, led by Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi, set a challenging 264. This victory showed Pakistan’s knack for shining in high-stakes games.
The 2007-08 Test series in Pakistan was a thriller. South Africa won 1-0, with the second Test ending in a draw. Jacques Kallis’ century and Dale Steyn’s pace were key, but Pakistan’s resilience, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, kept the series competitive. This period cemented the rivalry as one of mutual respect, with both teams pushing each other to the limit.
The 2010s: Pakistan’s UAE Stronghold and South Africa’s Pace Attack
In the 2010s, Pakistan played their “home” matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to security concerns in Pakistan. The UAE’s slow, turning pitches suited Pakistan’s spinners, and they became a tough team to beat there. South Africa, with their pace-heavy attack, often struggled in these conditions.
In 2010, under Misbah-ul-Haq’s captaincy, Pakistan drew a two-Test series 0-0 in the UAE. Misbah’s calm leadership and Younis Khan’s batting frustrated South Africa, who couldn’t break through despite Steyn’s brilliance. In 2013, Pakistan stunned South Africa by winning the first Test in the UAE by 7 wickets, thanks to Saeed Ajmal’s spin and Misbah’s gritty batting. South Africa bounced back to draw the series 1-1, but Pakistan’s dominance in the UAE was clear.
Back in South Africa, the Proteas were unstoppable. In the 2012-13 Test series, South Africa whitewashed Pakistan 3-0. Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander tore through Pakistan’s batting, with Pakistan’s lowest point being bowled out for 49 in the first Test—their worst-ever total in Test history. This series showed the contrast between the two teams: Pakistan thrived in spin-friendly conditions, while South Africa ruled on fast, bouncy pitches.
In limited-overs cricket, the 2015 World Cup saw Pakistan beat South Africa by 29 runs (D/L method) in a rain-affected match. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s century and Wahab Riaz’s fiery spell against AB de Villiers were standout moments. This win was Pakistan’s first against South Africa in a World Cup, adding another chapter to their rivalry.
The 2020s: Recent Clashes and New Stars
The 2020s have seen both teams evolve, with new players stepping up. South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, and Pakistan, captained by Babar Azam or Shan Masood, have continued to deliver exciting contests.
In 2021, Pakistan toured South Africa and won the ODI series 2-1, with Fakhar Zaman’s 193 in the second ODI being a highlight. They also won the T20I series 3-1, showing their strength in white-ball cricket. However, South Africa hit back in the 2024-25 season, winning a two-Test series 2-0 at home. Ryan Rickelton’s double century (259) and Kagiso Rabada’s pace were key in the second Test, where South Africa chased 58 runs to seal a 10-wicket victory. Pakistan fought hard, with Babar Azam scoring his 4,000th Test run, but couldn’t overcome South Africa’s dominance.
In the 2024-25 ODI Tri-Series in Pakistan, Pakistan beat South Africa by 6 wickets in a record chase of 353. Mohammad Rizwan (122*) and Salman Agha (134) put on a 260-run stand, earning Pakistan a spot in the final. This match, played in Karachi, showed Pakistan’s batting depth and their ability to thrive under pressure.
The T20I series in 2024-25 ended in a 1-1 draw, with one match washed out. Both teams showcased young talent, with players like Kwena Maphaka (South Africa’s youngest Test debutant) and Saim Ayub (Pakistan’s explosive opener) hinting at a bright future for the rivalry.
Why This Rivalry Matters
What makes SSouth Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline so special? It’s the contrast in styles. South Africa’s fast bowlers, like Rabada and Steyn, love bouncy pitches, while Pakistan’s pacers, like Shaheen Afridi, and spinners, like Abrar Ahmed, excel in varied conditions. Their matches are often decided by moments of individual brilliance—whether it’s a century from Babar Azam or a five-wicket haul from Rabada.
Off the field, there’s respect. Players like Jacques Kallis and Misbah-ul-Haq have spoken about admiring each other’s skills. Fans, too, love the unpredictability. You never know if Pakistan’s flair or South Africa’s grit will win the day.
Head-to-Head South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline Stats (as of June 2025)
Here’s a quick look at their overall record across formats:
- Test Matches: 30 matches | South Africa: 17 wins | Pakistan: 6 wins | Draws: 7
- ODIs: 87 matches | South Africa: 52 wins | Pakistan: 34 wins | No Result: 1
- T20Is: 24 matches | South Africa: 12 wins | Pakistan: 12 wins
Timeline Table: South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team
Below is a detailed table capturing key series and matches in their rivalry. It’s designed to be easy to read and covers major moments from 1992 to 2025.
|
Year |
Format |
Series/Tournament |
Venue |
Result |
Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-92 |
ODI |
Benson & Hedges World Cup |
Brisbane, Australia |
South Africa won by 20 runs (D/L) |
Andrew Hudson’s 54; South Africa’s first win over Pakistan. |
| 1994-95 |
Test |
1-Test Series |
Pakistan |
Pakistan won by 324 runs |
Saleem Malik’s 99; Wasim Akram’s fiery bowling. |
| 1994-95 |
ODI |
Wills Triangular Series |
South Africa |
Pakistan won 3-0 |
Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saleem Malik starred for Pakistan. |
| 1996-97 |
Test |
3-Test Series |
South Africa |
South Africa won 2-0 |
Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock led South Africa’s pace attack. |
| 1999-2000 |
ODI |
Coca-Cola Cup Final |
Sharjah, UAE |
Pakistan won by 16 runs |
Waqar Younis’ 4 wickets; Imran Nazir’s aggressive batting. |
| 2002-03 |
ODI |
5-ODI Series |
South Africa |
South Africa won 4-1 |
Herschelle Gibbs’ explosive batting dominated Pakistan. |
| 2003-04 |
Test |
2-Test Series |
Pakistan |
South Africa won 1-0 |
Jacques Kallis’ century; “Charles” logo replaced Castle Lager. |
| 2006 |
ODI |
Bilateral Match |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
South Africa chased 434 vs. Australia (context) |
Showed South Africa’s batting strength, later used vs. Pakistan. |
| 2007-08 |
Test |
2-Test Series |
Pakistan |
South Africa won 1-0 |
Dale Steyn’s pace; Misbah-ul-Haq’s resilience. |
| 2010 |
Test |
2-Test Series |
UAE |
Drawn 0-0 |
Misbah-ul-Haq’s calm leadership frustrated South Africa. |
| 2012-13 |
Test |
3-Test Series |
South Africa |
South Africa won 3-0 |
Pakistan bowled out for 49; Steyn and Philander dominated. |
| 2013 |
Test |
2-Test Series |
UAE |
Drawn 1-1 |
Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal spun webs; South Africa fought back. |
| 2015 |
ODI |
World Cup |
Auckland, New Zealand |
Pakistan won by 29 runs (D/L) |
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s 100; Wahab Riaz’s fiery spell. |
| 2019 |
Test |
3-Test Series |
South Africa |
South Africa won 3-0 |
South Africa’s pace attack overwhelmed Pakistan. |
| 2021 |
ODI |
3-ODI Series |
South Africa |
Pakistan won 2-1 |
Fakhar Zaman’s 193; Pakistan’s white-ball dominance. |
| 2021 |
T20I |
4-T20I Series |
South Africa |
Pakistan won 3-1 |
Babar Azam’s T20I century; Pakistan’s series win. |
| 2024-25 |
Test |
2-Test Series |
South Africa |
South Africa won 2-0 |
Ryan Rickelton’s 259; Kwena Maphaka’s debut. |
| 2024-25 |
ODI |
Tri-Nation Series |
Pakistan |
Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
Rizwan (122*) and Agha (134) chased 353. |
| 2024-25 |
T20I |
3-T20I Series |
South Africa |
Drawn 1-1 (1 NR) |
Young stars like Maphaka and Ayub shone. |
Looking Ahead: South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
As of June 2025, South Africa National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline are set to meet again in the ICC Champions Trophy and other bilateral series. With South Africa qualifying for the World Test Championship final and Pakistan gearing up for the Champions Trophy at home, both teams are in top form. Young players like Kwena Maphaka and Saim Ayub, alongside veterans like Babar Azam and Kagiso Rabada, promise more thrilling battles.
