WHO: South Africa vs Pakistan
What: International T20 cricket series
When: December 10th, 13th and 14th at 4:00pm GMT
Where: Durban, Centurion, Johannesburg

South Africa and Pakistan will look to shake off a string of poor results in T20 internationals when the two teams meet in a three-match series starting Tuesday.

The runners-up in the last two ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, South Africa in 2024 and Pakistan in 2022, both suffered a decline in their T20 fortunes in the recent bilateral T20 series.

South Africa lost 3-1 at home to world champions India and while Pakistan beat Zimbabwe 2-1, they lost 3-0 in Australia in November.

The hosts will be led by stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen, while Aiden Markram was rested for the test leg of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have taken the opposite approach and opted to rest leading bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from Tests to manage his workload ahead of the home ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan’s new limited-overs captain Mohammed Rizwan returns to lead the side after sitting out the white-ball tour against Zimbabwe.

What is the full schedule of the Australia vs Pakistan T20 series?

• First T20: Tuesday 10 December at 6pm (16:00 GMT) at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
• Second T20: Friday 13 December, 6pm (16:00 GMT) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
• Third T20: Saturday 14 December, 6pm (16:00 GMT) at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

How can I watch the South Africa vs Pakistan T20 series?

Al Jazeera’s live text and photo coverage of each match begins three hours before kick-off.

South Africa vs Pakistan: T20 head-to-head record

South Africa and Pakistan have faced each other in T20Is since the format’s inception and their first match took place in February 2007, a few months before the African country hosted the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

In total, the teams played 22 T20 matches with almost even results. Pakistan have a slight lead with 12 wins while the Proteas have won 10.

Form guide: South Africa

The World Cup runners-up have enjoyed a memorable series in the T20Is format since the final on June 29 in Barbados.

In their three bilateral T20I series since the World Cup, the Proteas have lost 3-1 at home to India, drawn 1-1 against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates and lost 3-0 away to the West Indies.

Last five results (newest first): LLWLL

Form guide: Pakistan

Similar to South Africa’s run since reaching the final in the T20 Championships, Pakistan has also been on a downward spiral since their second place finish in the T20 World Cup in 2022.

Since losing to England in the final in Melbourne, Pakistan have lost three of their six bilateral series. Their only series wins came against Zimbabwe (2-1) and Ireland (2-1).

The 2009 champions lost away to England (2-0), drew at home against a weakened New Zealand team (2-2), away against New Zealand (4-1) and away against Afghanistan (2-1).

Last five results (newest first): LWWLL

News about the South African team

The hosts will be led by swashbuckling batsman Klaasen in Markram’s absence, while Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Tristan Stubbs are also out.

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20 team for the first time since the T20 World Cup.

Squad: Heinrich Klaasen (captain), 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.

Pakistan team news

After resting a number of T20 regulars for the series against Zimbabwe, including captain Rizwan, Pakistan has brought back Rizwan and Babar for the South Africa tour. Shaheen Afridi will lead the pace attack along with Haris Rauf but Naseem Shah will miss out.

Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan .