SADC region gearing up to host 45th ordinary summit heads of state
Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is getting ready to host its 45th ordinary summit heads of state and government this month in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The three-match ODI series, scheduled to take place in Lahore from September 16 to 22, presents not only a test for Pakistan but also an important opportunity for South Africa to fine-tune their strategies and assess squad depth in subcontinental conditions.
The series serves as a critical litmus test for the Proteas Women as they aim to build on recent progress and challenge for major honours in 2025. With Pakistan already confirmed as participants in the World Cup, the upcoming matches offer both teams a high-quality contest - but South Africa will be particularly focused on using the games to consolidate combinations, especially in spin-friendly conditions akin to those they may face in Sri Lanka, the venue for the tournament.
Looking beyond the Pakistan tour, the Proteas' long-term roadmap to the 2026 T20 World Cup in England is equally packed with opportunity. South Africa will host Pakistan again in early 2026 for a six-match white-ball series - three ODIs and three T20Is - in February and March. These fixtures are expected to provide a much-needed home advantage platform for younger talents to emerge while allowing senior players to sharpen their skills ahead of the global stage.
The Proteas Women will also keep a close eye on Pakistan's tri-series in Ireland, involving West Indies in May-June 2026, which is likely to act as a high-pressure rehearsal before the T20 World Cup. Insights from that tournament may influence the Proteas' own tactical decisions and selection tweaks.
On the domestic front, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s commitment to expanding women's cricket - including the planned departmental tournament and increased investment in youth and inter-university competitions - is expected to raise the standard of opposition South Africa will face in the coming months. The Proteas Women will need to be ready for a confident and better-resourced Pakistan team.
As South Africa looks to assemble a well-rounded squad for the twin challenges of the 2025 ODI and 2026 T20 World Cups, the Pakistan ODIs this September are not just preparatory fixtures - they're a signal of intent. For the Proteas Women, it's time to shift gears, embrace consistency, and cement their place among the world's top contenders.
Issued on SABC Sport | https://www.sabcsport.com/cricket/news/proteas-women-to-tour-pakistan-in-september-in-crucial-odi-series-ahead-of-2025-world-cup
