South Africa skip Pakistan tour in March citing workload issues

PCB and CSA were trying to arrange a three-match T20I series in Pakistan just before the IPL.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has decided not to go ahead with the Pakistan tour in March. The two boards, CSA and PCB, were deliberating playing three T20Is in Pakistan ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL). But South Africa have now withdrawn their interest from the tour which already faced logistical challenges. A new window will be looked into for the tour to be rescheduled.

Earlier when the tour was set to go ahead, the PCB was facing a few logistical challenges. South Africa’s India tour where they are scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals concludes on March 18 even as the fifth PSL season ends on March 22. The PCB had intended to make them stay in Dubai and then fly them directly to Rawalpindi for the three T20Is after the conclusion of the PSL.

With the IPL expected to begin in the last week of March, it would’ve become tough for the players to play three matches within such a short span. Hence, the CSA has decided not to tour Pakistan for the time being and give a breather to its players before the IPL commences according to ESPNCricinfo.

South Africa are currently hosting England

Having said that, South Africa have not been the busiest team since the World Cup 2019. They have played only 13 limited-overs matches across formats (until February 14) and are set to face England in the second of the three-match T20I series against England. The third and final T20I is scheduled to be played on February 16.

Soon after the England series, the Proteas will host Australia for the three T20Is and as many ODIs. This series will end on March 7 and then they will be playing the first of the three-match ODI series against India on March 12. Considering this continuous cricket, CSA must have denied travelling to Pakistan as the players will get tired and they wouldn’t want to lose the players again to injury in the World Cup year.

As far as the ongoing series is concerned, the Quinton de Kock-led side is leading the series by 1-0 and will be keen to seal the deal in the second T20I itself.