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The rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team has produced many competitive contests across Test cricket, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. Both teams have experienced different periods of dominance, with South Africa holding a stronger overall record in Tests and ODIs, while their T20I head to head record is completely level. The rivalry has included memorable Test victories, closely fought ODI series, high scoring matches and important performances from some of the leading players in international cricket.
Pakistan and South Africa have also continued to meet regularly in recent years. Their 2024 and 2025 encounters produced several important results, including Pakistan’s ODI series victory in South Africa in December 2024 and a 1 1 Test series draw in Pakistan in October 2025. Pakistan also won the three match ODI series in Pakistan in November 2025 by 2 1, while South Africa won the opening T20I before Pakistan won the second match.
The following Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats examine their historical head to head records, recent results, major performances and format wise comparison.
Test Head to Head Record
Pakistan and South Africa have played 30 Test matches against each other. South Africa have won 17, Pakistan have won six, and seven matches have ended in draws. This gives South Africa a clear historical advantage in the longest format.
| Test Statistic | Pakistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 30 | 30 |
| Wins | 6 | 17 |
| Losses | 17 | 6 |
| Draws | 7 | 7 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
The recent Test record has been more competitive. Pakistan defeated South Africa by 95 runs in Rawalpindi in February 2021 after also winning the first Test of that series by seven wickets. South Africa subsequently won both Tests during their 2024 25 tour of Pakistan. The first Test in Centurion was won by South Africa by two wickets, while the second Test at Newlands ended with South Africa winning by 10 wickets.
The 2025 two match Test series in Pakistan provided another contrasting result. Pakistan won the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs, with Noman Ali taking the Player of the Match award. South Africa responded in the second Test at Rawalpindi, winning by eight wickets to level the series 1 1.
ODI Head to Head Record
The ODI rivalry has also historically favored South Africa. The teams have played 87 ODIs, with South Africa winning 52 and Pakistan winning 34. One match ended without a result and there have been no ties in the recorded head to head figures.
| ODI Statistic | Pakistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 87 | 87 |
| Wins | 34 | 52 |
| Losses | 52 | 34 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| No Results | 1 | 1 |
Despite the historical difference, Pakistan have produced an impressive run of recent ODI results against South Africa. Pakistan won all three ODIs during their December 2024 tour of South Africa. They won the first match by three wickets, the second by 81 runs and the third by 36 runs under the DLS method.
The teams met again in Pakistan in November 2025. Pakistan won the first ODI by two wickets, South Africa responded with an eight wicket victory in the second, and Pakistan won the third match by seven wickets to take the series 2 1. The series therefore provided another example of the increasingly competitive nature of their recent ODI meetings.
T20 International Head to Head Record
The T20I rivalry is significantly more balanced than the Test and ODI records. Pakistan and South Africa have played 24 T20Is, with both teams winning 12 matches. There have been no ties, while the latest head to head record includes one abandoned match in the December 2024 series.
| T20I Statistic | Pakistan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 24 | |
| Wins | 12 | 12 |
| Losses | 12 | 12 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| No Results | 1 | 1 |
Their December 2024 T20I series in South Africa demonstrated the competitiveness of this format. South Africa won the first match by 11 runs after scoring 183 for nine. They then won the second match by seven wickets after Pakistan scored 206 for five. The third match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The teams met again during Pakistan’s 2025 home season. South Africa won the first T20I in Rawalpindi by 55 runs, while Pakistan responded by winning the second T20I in Lahore by nine wickets. The match was part of a three match bilateral series that Pakistan eventually won 2 1.
Recent Pakistan vs South Africa Results
Recent encounters provide an interesting contrast with the historical head to head record. South Africa remain ahead in overall Test and ODI victories, but Pakistan have won several recent bilateral series, particularly in ODI cricket.
| Year | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Test | Series drawn 1 1 |
| 2025 | ODI | Pakistan won series 2 1 |
| 2025 | T20I | Pakistan won series 2 1 |
| 2024 | Test | South Africa won series 2 0 |
| 2024 | ODI | Pakistan won series 3 0 |
| 2024 | T20I | South Africa won series 2 0, one abandoned |
| 2023 | ODI | South Africa won by 1 wicket |
| 2021 | Test | Pakistan won series 2 0 |
The 2025 Test series was particularly notable because both teams won one match. Pakistan’s first Test victory came in Lahore, where they scored 378 in their first innings and eventually won by 93 runs. Noman Ali was named Player of the Match.
South Africa then responded strongly in Rawalpindi. Pakistan were dismissed for 138 in their second innings, leaving South Africa a target of only 68. Simon Harmer took six wickets for 50 runs, while South Africa completed an eight wicket victory.
The ODI record in recent years has been especially notable for Pakistan. Their 3 0 series victory in South Africa in December 2024 was followed by another 2 1 series win in Pakistan in November 2025.
Major Batting and Bowling Performances
The Pakistan South Africa rivalry has featured outstanding performances from both batting and bowling units. The different conditions in Pakistan and South Africa have also influenced the type of performances produced by the two sides.
In the first Test of the 2025 series in Lahore, Pakistan’s batting line up produced a strong first innings total of 378. Imam ul Haq scored 93, Shan Masood made 76, Mohammad Rizwan contributed 75 and Salman Ali Agha also scored 93. Pakistan’s bowling attack then completed the job, with Noman Ali playing a decisive role in the victory.
The second Test produced an equally important South African response. Pakistan were bowled out for 138 in their second innings, with Simon Harmer claiming six wickets for 50 runs. South Africa then reached their target of 68 in only 12.3 overs, with captain Aiden Markram scoring 42.
The 2025 ODI series in Pakistan also produced notable individual contributions. In the second ODI, Pakistan posted 269 for nine, with Salman Ali Agha scoring 69, Saim Ayub making 53 and Mohammad Nawaz contributing 59. South Africa chased the target comfortably and won by eight wickets.
In the first ODI, South Africa scored 263 before Pakistan completed a two wicket chase. Salman Ali Agha was named Player of the Match, highlighting his importance to Pakistan’s successful chase.
Overall Statistical Comparison
The format wise figures show a clear difference between the historical and recent sides of the rivalry. South Africa have a substantial advantage in Tests and ODIs, while T20Is are evenly balanced.
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Wins | South Africa Wins | Draw/Tie/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 30 | 6 | 17 | 7 draws |
| ODIs | 87 | 34 | 52 | 1 no result |
| T20Is | 24 | 12 | 12 | 0 ties, 1 no result |
Across the three formats, the teams have played 141 recorded matches. Pakistan have won 52, South Africa have won 81, while the remaining matches include seven Test draws and two no results. These totals are derived from the format specific head to head records.
The Test numbers show South Africa’s long term advantage most clearly. Their 17 victories are nearly three times Pakistan’s six. However, Pakistan’s recent Test victory in Lahore in 2025 and their two Test wins in the 2021 series show that the historical record does not prevent Pakistan from producing strong performances against South Africa.
The ODI record is also strongly in South Africa’s favor, but Pakistan’s recent three match series victories in 2024 and 2025 have narrowed the relevance of the historical record when assessing their latest encounters. T20I cricket is the most evenly balanced format, with both teams having 12 victories from 24 meetings.
Conclusion
The Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats show a rivalry with a strong South African historical advantage in Test and ODI cricket, while T20I competition is completely balanced. South Africa have won 17 of 30 Tests and 52 of 87 ODIs, compared with Pakistan’s six and 34 victories respectively. In T20Is, both teams have won 12 of 24 completed matches.
Recent results, however, add important context to these numbers. Pakistan won the 2024 ODI series in South Africa 3 0, won the 2025 ODI series in Pakistan 2 1 and also won the 2025 T20I series 2 1. The 2025 Test series ended 1 1. These results demonstrate that the modern rivalry has produced competitive bilateral contests despite South Africa’s stronger overall historical record.
FAQs
1. How many Tests have Pakistan and South Africa played?
Pakistan and South Africa have played 30 Test matches. South Africa have won 17, Pakistan have won six and seven matches have ended in draws.
2. Who has won more ODIs between Pakistan and South Africa?
South Africa have won more ODIs. They have 52 victories from 87 matches, while Pakistan have won 34. One match ended without a result.
3. What is the Pakistan vs South Africa T20I head to head record?
The T20I record is evenly balanced. Pakistan and South Africa have each won 12 of their 24 meetings, with no tied matches in the record and one match abandoned.
4. Who won the Pakistan vs South Africa Test series in 2025?
The 2025 two match Test series in Pakistan ended 1 1. Pakistan won the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs, while South Africa won the second Test in Rawalpindi by eight wickets.
5. Who won the Pakistan vs South Africa ODI series in 2025?
Pakistan won the three match ODI series in Pakistan in November 2025 by 2 1. Pakistan won the first and third matches, while South Africa won the second ODI by eight wickets.
