Can Pakistan become the first team to whitewash South Africa?

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

CAPE TOWN: Pakistan's players have made some pretty significant entries in their tour diaries in South Africa, a tour that wasn't even scheduled until a few weeks ago.

Sunday: A first one-day international win at Cape Town's historic Newlands ground. Wednesday: A first ODI series win anywhere over South Africa, also spoiling the home team's 500th ODI.

And now Saturday: A chance to become the first country to whitewash South Africa in a series at home.

The Pakistan squad barely had time to pack their bags, or any diaries, before trooping out to South Africa for a short-notice return series that was hastily arranged off the back of five straight limited-overs losses to the South Africans in United Arab Emirates.

But while filling in for India, Pakistan has turned it around emphatically in South Africa and captain Misbah-ul-Haq unsurprisingly called the most recent, series-clinching win over the Proteas in Port Elizabeth ''a really, really big achievement for us.''

''It really means a lot to us to beat South Africa in a bilateral series for the first time, especially doing it in South Africa,'' Misbah said.

Having lost convincingly in both the ODI and Twenty20 series in the UAE earlier this month, Pakistan was invited for an immediate return series so South Africa could warm-up for what it felt were its main challenges this season; an ODI and Test series in December against the Indians, the closest challengers to South Africa's No. 1 test ranking.

India had shortened its trip and turned down some of the planned November games, leaving South Africa with a gap in its summer calendar. So, Pakistan's accidental tourists filled that gap and more, and are now on the brink of a momentous achievement.

Since South Africa returned to international cricket in 1991, no team has left the country with a clean sweep in an ODI series. Not even Ricky Ponting's world champion Australia of a few years ago or the mighty Indians.

South Africa's pride is on the line at SuperSport Park in Centurion, near Pretoria, this weekend and while the home country demands it is defended, Pakistan is probably in better shape having won three in a row over the Proteas including the second Twenty20 game.

''It is a young side and now they believe they can win. That was what was lacking,'' Misbah said of his history-chasing team.

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kamran

Nov 28, 2013 08:50pm

Yes- We got the needed break yesterday. Statistically we have a 50% chance to win the third odi and with Allah's help any thing is possible. Players are determined and win against SA can only be possible with pure team effort(batting, bowling and fielding). At this stage of the series if Pakistan score above 230 or has to chase less than 230 win should be ours easily.

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Peerzada Mushtaq

Nov 28, 2013 09:03pm

PCB should now come out of Hafeez-Misbah coma and show some patriotism by kicking the duo out.They should not repeat changing the team at the start of world cup which never helps.Include Shafiq,Hamaad,Raza Hassan,yunis and groom the team from now under the guidance of Greats like Inzy and waqar.

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danial tariq

Nov 28, 2013 09:10pm

that is highly unlikely!

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Ali

Nov 28, 2013 09:19pm

remove the coach and include more youngsters and you have a team

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Tamilselvan

Nov 28, 2013 09:20pm

Congratulation to the Pakistan team for this thrilling victory. Hope this is a beginning to climb greater heights in cricket

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Saeed Masood

Nov 28, 2013 10:46pm

Yes Pakistan you can do it...just take it easy and play with concentration and confidence... and decide from ball one that you will win...Go Pakistan Go...The time has come to show your real worth. You play we pray.

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fida sayani

Nov 28, 2013 11:31pm

Pakistan can do it. They can give whitewash to SA. Have faith in yourself and fight with determination.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 28, 2013 11:33pm

Yes, they can but if and only if they really think strongly that they can.

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ali

Nov 29, 2013 01:33am

They should not take it easy in the third ODI if they relax now that they have won the series then they will never beat SA.They have to give 100% plus, specially the batsmen.

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mariya K

Nov 29, 2013 02:20am

Can they? yes, they can (if they put their mind and heart into it). Will they? No,they won't. ( if they have gone into their typical mindset of complacency as they have already become the first south asian team to win a series) go for the kill, i say. but then this is PAKISTAN.

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TOPSPINNER

Nov 29, 2013 03:09am

Recent victories against the mighty South Africans is definitely a very good sign for the future of Pakistan Cricket. On the other hand it is too early for us to talk about whitewash. Our boys have done excellent job in restoring Pakistan's status in the cricket world.

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WeCare

Nov 29, 2013 04:54am

Looking at current team spirit, yes we can. However replacement for Hafeez with a better batsman may improve our probability. Oh - Steyn is not playing. Now Hafeez has a chance to perform.

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Nadeem Mirza

Nov 29, 2013 06:15am

With Steyn out this is their best opportunity! Go Hafeez now at least score a century or a half, NO Steyn scare!

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ashfaq ahmad

Nov 29, 2013 07:22am

Hope they do so, Pakistan should adapt a little bet offensive strategy. please remove Misbah from captaincy, he is too defensive. he did not played well in these two Odis, therefore Pakistan won, however Good Luck Pakistan.

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Mudassar Siddiq

Nov 29, 2013 08:47am

Yes. Pakistan has all the ingredients available for a first ever Proteas home white wash. It will all depend how Captain and the coach can handle this opportunity and mentally prepare the youngsters. Lack of leadership can only held us back and nothing else

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Zeelanta

Nov 29, 2013 09:01am

We all wish for a Whitewash.....BUT....Be prepared for SA to bounce back strongly...

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fairy

Nov 29, 2013 09:43am

i hope they do. my prayers are with them. but only prayers wont work. they have to perform to white wash SA. SA will definitely come back really hard on them. we should be wary of SA backlash but be worried about it. just be strong and play natural game. Pak team performs the best when do they complicate things and play simple basic tactics. So stick to the basics and your natural talent and flair will do the rest.

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N K Ali

Nov 29, 2013 10:41am

If the Pakistanis play with their heads on their shoulders and don't let the hot air of pride whizzy their heads, there is doubt they can whitewash the Proteas. They made a hash of the UAE series because of an inherent lackadaisical approach. Salams

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Kanwaljeet singh

Nov 29, 2013 01:04pm

pls note that SA is sporting a "B" grade team to improve thier bench strenght. As mentioned by the author, they are actually preparing from series against India. but i feel they have a even grander vision of World cup which is good. Pakistan deserves thier share of praise for thier winning against SA but at the same time they should keep themselves grounded. they are known for overnight collapse. don't they?

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Mudassar Siddiq

Nov 29, 2013 01:54pm

@ashfaq ahmad: Yes you r right. One of the very important reason Pakistan won 2 in a row is that Misbah did not play a long inning. This is very sad that many people still wants Misbah to stay on the crease longer, which I think always takes out all the energy of the Pakistan batting in particular and the whole performance in general.

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Sarah

Nov 29, 2013 02:15pm

@fairy: This time Pakistan seems to have hit back hard at South Africa after UAE series.Pakistan team really hits back very hard and some of the new comers are really playing amazing cricket.The series is over for South Africa as Pakistan has wrapped it already.Now South Africa has to think about future series.This one is all over for them.

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Rafiq Khan

Nov 29, 2013 03:00pm

It is good spirits and team efforts. All players have contributed in both the ODIs. Keep it up. Try your best to white wash because it is golden chance for Pakistan. This is a historic win by Pakistan in South Africa. I fail to understand till now there is no any news in any Indian Newspaper. It has shown the biased nature of Indian Media against Pakistan. At this juncture white wash against South Africa is badly needed. Please beat them in their backyard.

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Waqas

Nov 29, 2013 03:13pm

@Kanwaljeet singh: Are you for serious. Is Styn,Amla,Tosbe,Smith,AB,dumniy,Kallis B team players. Anyway, which top player have been rested? Name any.

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Asad

Nov 29, 2013 03:24pm

@Kanwaljeet singh: Smith, Amla, Kallis, Devilliers, Duminy, Steyn, Twatsotbe, Tahir. Not to mention Morkel Phillander both played on the first ODI. Which "B" team are you referring to exactly?

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Ajit Kumar Das

Nov 29, 2013 04:00pm

Why not? The Pakistan team has the potential to achieve this feat. Good luck!

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abid

Nov 29, 2013 05:57pm

If Pakistani fielders hold on all created chances by their bowlers and do not give away wickets with easy run outs, they can beat any team on that day. But it is hard to believe that they would not... as they often end up showing non-professional and non serious attitude.... just take Afridi... Never thinks where his hit would end up... never thinks of availble gaps.. even a matric student with bat in hand would think about it before hitting big... but Afridi opppsss...

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raj

Nov 29, 2013 06:01pm

Great JOB ....Keep it up...

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Effy

Nov 29, 2013 07:03pm

We already have a junior Inzi ( Maqsood ) in the team, now imagine Junior Syed Anwar ( Sharjeel Khan ) that would be great.Selectors are you listening ?

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samar

Nov 29, 2013 09:52pm

wishful...

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arun

Nov 29, 2013 10:01pm

@Kanwaljeet singh: You are absolutely right ..but why did people dislike your comment..I

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skeptic

Nov 30, 2013 12:58am

@Kanwaljeet singh: Well your vision seems rather like un full filled dreams of grandeur . Remember the whopping you got from us just a few months back

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Effy

Nov 30, 2013 11:01am

To be honest I will send Bilawal ahead of Hafeez and Afridi. adn I will drop Jamshed for the tour of Sri Lanka and select the talented and aggressive Sharjeel Khan

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H L

Nov 30, 2013 11:14am

@Kanwaljeet singh: Thanks for bringing it up. I suppose it is important that we Pakis dont' forget the bigger picture i.e. World Cup preparation. And yes being humble is part of the game, yet I cannot resist saying these 3 wins have given the confidence Pak Team needed and momentum which they should build on. 'B' team is already answered by many..

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WHYONLYPUNJABISINTHETEAM

Nov 30, 2013 12:22pm

Why does Hafeez have to play in EVERY GAME ? Why cant he be dropped like others who do not perform?

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