South Africa secured a commanding victory over Pakistan by 55 runs in the first T20I match held in Rawalpindi on October 28, taking the lead in the three-match series. Highlights of the game included a standout performance from George Linde, who excelled with both bat and ball. In contrast, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam faced a disappointing return, getting dismissed without scoring in front of an expectant home crowd.
Opting to bat first, South Africa set a challenging score of 194 for 9 in their 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks played a key role, scoring a solid 60 runs off 40 balls, which included five boundaries and a six. Tony de Zorzi added a quick 33 runs from just 16 deliveries, helping to boost the team’s momentum early on.
Linde contributed with 36 runs off 22 balls, while Quinton de Kock scored 23 off 13, ensuring the scoring rate remained consistent. For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz was the star with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs, and Saim Ayub also impressed with his 2 for 31. However, other bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were costly, giving away more than 11 runs per over.
In response, Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start. While Sahibzada Farhan scored a quick 24 to briefly lift spirits, the batting order quickly faltered under pressure from South Africa. Babar Azam’s much-anticipated comeback turned sour as he was dismissed for just two runs, caught by Hendricks off the bowling of Corbin Bosch, who was pivotal for the visitors.
Only Saim Ayub and Nawaz managed to make significant contributions, with scores of 37 off 28 and 36 off 20, respectively. Unfortunately, Pakistan struggled to recover from early setbacks. Bosch delivered a stunning performance, claiming 4 wickets for just 14 runs, while Linde took 3 for 31, effectively dismantling the Pakistani lineup. Lizaad Williams also helped by taking two wickets, and Pakistan was bowled out for 139 in just 18.1 overs.
With this win, South Africa takes a firm grip on the series, while Pakistan will need to regroup quickly, especially with growing concerns regarding Babar Azam’s form and leadership.
Brief Scores:
- South Africa: 194/9 in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 60, George Linde 36; Mohammad Nawaz 3/26, Saim Ayub 2/31)
- Pakistan: 139 all out in 18.1 overs (Saim Ayub 37, Mohammad Nawaz 36; Corbin Bosch 4/14, George Linde 3/31)
Result: South Africa won by 55 runs.
