South Africa call off Pakistan tour due to 'player workload'

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday expressed their inability to tour Pakistan next month, assuring the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that they will honour the commitment of sending their side as soon as "it is reasonably possible".

According to a press release by the PCB, the CSA conveyed their decision to the cricket board after taking player workload into account.

In the press release, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “While we were keenly looking forward to hosting South Africa next month, we respect CSA’s reason for not sending their side.

"Managing player workload is the priority of any cricket board, and from that perspective, their decision is understandable.

“We are pleased that CSA remains committed to rescheduling this short series as soon as practically possible. As there is a strong willingness and commitment, both the boards are now exploring their Future Tours Programme to find gaps so that we can agree on the dates," the press release quoted him as saying.

South Africa were slated to tour Pakistan in late March for a three-match T20 series in Rawalpindi.

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Shehbaz

Feb 14, 2020 06:11pm

We all know the real reason.

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Shehbaz

Feb 14, 2020 06:12pm

Another top ranked team rejected Pakistan's request and we know the real reason behind this.

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Shehbaz

Feb 14, 2020 06:14pm

south Africa plays very few cricket in all format as compared to all top 9 teams in the world. Then how is this a workload?

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Shehbaz

Feb 14, 2020 06:15pm

Host these matches in Dubai, I am sure their workload will be gone.

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Shehbaz

Feb 14, 2020 06:16pm

May be workload means security in their language.

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Shehbaz

Feb 14, 2020 06:17pm

Now will Pakistan be part of Asia 11 as they were saying non of Pakistan's player will play because of South Africa matches.

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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne

Feb 14, 2020 06:20pm

Total nonsense by Cricket South Africa. How much workload would be involved in three T20 games? Total accumulated play time of three T20 matches is 9 hours and even a mediocre player can manage this so easily, let alone the highly skilled and professional players.

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Johnny

Feb 14, 2020 06:27pm

BCCI did its work! While PCB boys from Britain slept!

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Haji Mastaan

Feb 14, 2020 06:28pm

That must’ve hurt!

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Ben

Feb 14, 2020 06:29pm

How about creating an environment (like security and peaceful society) for the busy players to make arrangements to come and play rather than skip? Like other sought after teams like India, Australia, and others.

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Youwatch

Feb 14, 2020 07:03pm

And the blame goes to.....

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topbrass

Feb 14, 2020 07:08pm

Better to concentrate on teams like WI, SL and BNG on tour calendar. In case calendar is still half empty then consider Nepal and Bhutan etc.

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Siddharth chandigarh

Feb 14, 2020 07:25pm

After taking NOC from BCCI. They will sure visit.

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Salaria Ahmad ka Abba

Feb 14, 2020 07:27pm

They wont tour , they support BCCI stand

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Doc, USA

Feb 14, 2020 07:28pm

Got scared probably !

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Dr. Malaria

Feb 14, 2020 07:44pm

Safety comes first. Good sense prevails in the SA team.

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Ash from the West

Feb 14, 2020 07:56pm

Good excuse!!

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Dave

Feb 14, 2020 07:56pm

What else??

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Jaleel

Feb 14, 2020 08:01pm

That's an another way to say that "We won't be coming to pakistan"

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Alla Bux

Feb 14, 2020 08:01pm

Yea, where did we hear that before? Work load, indeed.

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Hiren Advani

Feb 14, 2020 09:07pm

Just they dont want to come.

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Svanik

Feb 14, 2020 09:22pm

"Workload" to call off an international tour?!!! Let's see what other international teams give excuse to not visit Pakistan.

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indian kasmiri

Feb 14, 2020 09:44pm

not good for sport, they shold keep politics beside

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haider shaikh

Feb 14, 2020 09:57pm

They want to play politics. but not cricket.

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Orpington

Feb 14, 2020 09:59pm

Workload never killed anyone, Then why on earth take a chance?

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Hameed

Feb 14, 2020 10:15pm

They are not coming....polite way to say no...may be BCCI has not allowed them

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Thalaiva

Feb 14, 2020 10:31pm

perhaps,players need adequate rest before IPL

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Nitin Sharma

Feb 14, 2020 10:45pm

Hope Pakistan retains his cricket conditions which cannot expect in next five years

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Rahim

Feb 14, 2020 11:04pm

Players safety is important

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Anand

Feb 14, 2020 11:21pm

Perhaps it's Coronavirus.

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Zak

Feb 14, 2020 11:30pm

@Siddharth chandigarh, "both the boards are now exploring their Future Tours Programme to find gaps so that we can agree on the dates,"

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Zak

Feb 14, 2020 11:30pm

@Salaria Ahmad ka Abba, To answer your incorrect information. 'both the boards are now exploring their Future Tours Programme to find gaps so that we can agree on the dates,"

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practical

Feb 14, 2020 11:30pm

all controlled and guided by cricket money in India, specially IPL. Some of these players may be dropped as franchise teams don't want to contract players playing in Pak.

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Zak

Feb 14, 2020 11:31pm

@Doc, USA, 'both the boards are now exploring their Future Tours Programme to find gaps so that we can agree on the dates,"

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Gursharan Singh Rathore

Feb 14, 2020 11:42pm

IPL vs PSL, there u go - the choice is clear here !

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A shah

Feb 14, 2020 11:46pm

Pakistan needs to do more. Maybe invite new iron brothers Malaysia and Turkey to play?

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Salazar

Feb 15, 2020 01:00am

They are off to IPL right after their last series. So what workload? It's a polite way of saying, "No, can do."

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Omer Malik

Feb 15, 2020 02:04am

Just looking at the comments you can tell most of the people here are illogical and lack vision. Great work by Wasim Khan though.

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Desi jat

Feb 15, 2020 06:57am

@Zak, yes you can say that to console yourself, but everybody is aware of the fact.

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Anil

Feb 15, 2020 07:20am

@Zak, Answer to your interpretation That's a polite way to say that " we don't want to risk our lives"

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EEsan

Feb 15, 2020 08:01am

@Zak, ...yes perhaps some dates will become available in the year 2120. Mark your calendar buddy boy!

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Bipin

Feb 15, 2020 09:07am

They are preparing to participate in IPL league, other commitments are not much important and everyone knows that.

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Jimmy

Feb 15, 2020 06:26pm

@A shah, Thank you and to all Indians who clearly love Pakistan cricket team and all things Pakistan. Thank you for your concern. Don't worry though. South Africa will visit at a future date. Meanwhile, enjoy watching the PSL.

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Neo

Feb 15, 2020 06:27pm

@Gursharan Singh Rathore, Looks like you will be watching the latter first.

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