Proteas T20I captain Donovan Ferreira believes his team will feed off the Test side’s success heading into the three-match series against Pakistan, starting in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
The World Test champions came from behind in spectacular fashion last week to win their first Test in Pakistan for 18 years, which also helped the visitors claim a share of the series.
And despite only three players of the Test squad – Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi and Corbin Bosch – remaining behind for the short-format series, Ferreira is confident the positive energies will flow over to his team.
“Our Test team has done really well, so it gives us a lot of confidence, and it gives us the opportunity to follow in their footsteps,” Ferreira said.
“We have an extraordinary white ball team as well. A lot of experience, a lot of excitement in our white ball team.
“It’s going to be exciting. I think each game we play, we want to win. That’s ultimately why we play the game. Three-match series, if you win the first one, it just puts you on a good step going into the next two.”
Ready to lead! 🇿🇦
A captain’s shoot with the prize to set the tone for the upcoming T20I series. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8JPWCu1YUm
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 27, 2025
Ferreira was tasked with the leading the team in Pakistan after the experienced David Miller had to withdraw due to injury. It will be the first time the explosive middle-order batter will be in charge of the Proteas in a multi-game series, having only previously had the responsibility in the shock defeat to south-west African neighbours Namibia a fortnight ago in Windhoek.
The 28-year-old is excited by this fresh challenge, especially as the Pakistan series forms an integral part of the Proteas’ build-up to next year’s T20 World Cup.
“We don’t want to live in the past. The Namibia game is done and we’ve reflected on that. It’s some different players. There are different guys in the team now,” he said.
“It’s really important that we hit the ground running. Really focus on what we want to do with our strategies, with our planning, everything that we want to do as a team and our identity as a team is really important.
“We’ve got a certain brand that we want to play. We want to play an explosive brand, with the bat or the ball, so there isn’t much cricket. The World Cup is just around the corner.
“It’s really important for us to start adding our skills and carry on building on all the work that’s been done throughout the year. This is a big starting stepping stone for us towards the World Cup.”
The energy is high, and the focus is clear. 🔥#TheProteas Men hit the ground running in Rawalpindi as preparations continue ahead of the first T20I against Pakistan tomorrow. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/9LPFzbi7rD
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 27, 2025
T20I squads for Rawalpindi
Proteas: Donovan Ferreira (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams.
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (capt), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Start: 5pm (SA time); TV: SuperSport
