In the first T20 match of the series, South Africa defeated Pakistan by 55 runs, showcasing dominant performances from both batters and bowlers. The match took place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where approximately 16,000 fans witnessed a disappointing outing for the visiting team.
Match Overview
South Africa batted first after winning the toss, setting a challenging target of 194 runs for Pakistan. Key contributions came from Reeza Hendricks, who scored 60 runs off 40 balls, and George Linde, who added 36 runs off 22 balls.
Babar Azam’s Return
Babar Azam made his T20 comeback after a hiatus since December 2024 but unfortunately did not make an impact. He faced only two deliveries before being dismissed for a duck, caught by Hendricks. This led to murmurs of disappointment among the home crowd.
Key Performances
- Corbin Bosch excelled with the ball, claiming four wickets for just 14 runs, crucially dismissing Babar and two other key players.
- George Linde impressed with three wickets for 31 runs, helping restrict Pakistan’s scoring.
- Mohammad Nawaz was a standout for Pakistan, scoring 36 runs off 20 balls and taking three wickets for 26 runs.
Pakistan struggled to find momentum throughout their innings. Despite Saim Ayub top-scoring with 37 runs off 28 balls, the team was bowled out for just 139 runs in 17.3 overs.
South Africa’s Solid Innings
South Africa’s innings featured brisk scoring, with a solid start of 44 runs off 23 balls from the opening pair of Hendricks and Quinton de Kock. The team scored swiftly, reaching 74-1 after just six overs, with de Kock hitting five boundaries.
The Proteas maintained their scoring rate, reaching 111-3 by the halfway mark. However, Pakistani spinners, including Nawaz and Ayub, managed to rein in the scoring somewhat before Bosch’s bowling sealed the victory.
Looking Ahead
The next two T20 matches will be hosted in Lahore on Friday and Saturday. Following the T20 series, the teams will engage in a three-match ODI series in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged the team’s need for better partnerships and improved bowling performance, particularly during the powerplay. The team aims to regroup and come back stronger in the upcoming matches.
