Match overview

Pakistan beat South Africa by 7 wickets in Faisalabad on 8 November 2025, wrapping up what became a straightforward chase with wickets to spare. South Africa, who won the toss and chose to bat at Iqbal Stadium, posted only 143 all out, well short of the venue's average first-innings score of 278 across 11 ODIs. Pakistan's reply was measured rather than frantic: 59 runs in the powerplay for 1 wicket set up a smooth middle-overs finish, and the target was reached at 144 for 3. Abrar Ahmed was named player of the match for his part in dismantling South Africa's batting in the middle phase.

South Africa's innings told a familiar story of a promising platform wasted. The first six overs produced 47 without loss, a reasonable start on a ground that can be batting-friendly. Then the wheels came off. All 10 wickets fell in the middle phase for just 96 runs, leaving the death overs irrelevant. On a pitch where opponents routinely post over 270, that collapse was the match decided before Pakistan faced a ball.

Pakistan's run-chase was businesslike. They lost 1 wicket in the powerplay, 2 more through the middle, and never looked troubled. Abrar Ahmed's contribution with the ball in hand gave Pakistan the foothold that allowed their batters to approach a target of 144 with calm rather than urgency.

Venue and conditions

Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad has a modest ODI footprint in the data, with 11 matches recorded, but one number stands out sharply: teams batting second have won all of them. The chase success rate is 100 per cent. That is an unusually extreme figure, and it largely reflects why winning the toss and fielding, though only chosen in 14 per cent of cases, tends to produce results here.

The average powerplay score at the venue is 27 runs, which makes South Africa's 47 in the first six overs a genuinely good start by ground standards. The problem was everything that followed. The middle phase proved lethal, and the pitch did appear to assist spin and movement as the innings progressed, something Abrar Ahmed exploited. Average scores in both innings sit at 278, reinforcing just how far below par 143 was.

For future reference at this ground, captains who field first have history on their side regardless of the pitch reading. First-innings totals need to get close to that 278 average to put pressure on the chasing side. Anything below 200 is likely to be chased down with ease, as this match demonstrated.

How to watch

UK viewers following Pakistan's home ODI series can usually access coverage through Sky Sports Cricket, with matches available via Sky Go or a NOW TV streaming pass for those without a full subscription. Pakistan home matches typically start mid-morning UK time given the five-hour offset, so check Sky's listings for confirmed start times before the match.

For those unable to access live television, ball-by-ball radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra sometimes covers prominent bilateral series, though availability varies. The ESPN Cricinfo and BBC Sport websites carry live scorecards for all international matches.

Recent form

This result continued a pattern that has defined 2025 for both sides. South Africa's last five results against Pakistan read: win, loss, loss, loss, win, showing a side prone to streaks rather than consistent performances. Pakistan's corresponding record is the mirror image: loss, win, win, win, loss. Three Pakistan wins from five, but with South Africa capable of dominant performances when the conditions and selections align.

The last five meetings tell a similarly mixed story at ground level. South Africa won by 8 wickets at Iqbal Stadium earlier in 2025, then Pakistan won by 2 wickets at the same venue. Pakistan then took two convincing wins at Gaddafi Stadium, including a 9-wicket success, before South Africa claimed a 55-run win at Pindi. This fixture, Pakistan's 7-wicket win, is the latest chapter in what has been a tightly contested series overall, even if the margin on 8 November flattered the hosts. The series moves on with Pakistan holding the clear upper hand in momentum.