Pakistan produced a commanding performance to bounce back in the second T20I against South Africa, leveling the three-match series 1-1 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Strong bowling early on and an unbeaten knock from Saim Ayub helped the home team chase a modest target with ease.
Pakistan started their chase in style, as openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan put together a quick 54-run stand.
The partnership was broken in the seventh over when Corbin Bosch trapped Farhan lbw with an in-dipper. The right-handed opener finished with 28 runs off 23 balls, including three sixes.
Ayub then joined Babar Azam in the middle, and the pair guided Pakistan to victory with a 64-run partnership for the second wicket.
READ: Babar Azam surpasses Rohit Sharma to become leading T20I run-scorer
Ayub was the star of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 71 off 38 balls with six fours and five sixes, while Babar remained 11 not out from 18 deliveries.
Corbin Bosch was the only South African bowler to claim a wicket.
Opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s pacers put the visitors under pressure from the start.
Salman Mirza struck immediately, removing Reeza Hendricks for a duck on just the second ball.
Naseem Shah and Mirza continued the onslaught, reducing South Africa to 15/3 within three overs.
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Faheem Ashraf then turned the game decisively, taking four key wickets, including captain Donovan Ferreira and George Linde.
Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed also contributed with crucial dismissals, restricting South Africa to just 110 runs in 19.2 overs.
Dewald Brevis top-scored for the visitors with a quick 25, but it was too little too late.
Chasing 111, Pakistan’s openers made a steady start, losing only one wicket before Saim Ayub carried the team to victory.
Pakistan reached the target in just 13.1 overs, winning by nine wickets and keeping the series alive for a decider tomorrow.
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Saim Ayub finishes in style
Saim Ayub smashes a six to seal Pakistan’s nine-wicket win. The team chased 112 effortlessly in just 13.1 overs. Pakistan’s dominant performance sets up an exciting series decider tomorrow.
10:45 pm -
Babar takes the crease
Hometown hero Babar Azam takes the crease, greeted by roaring fans.
10:27 pm -
Pakistan start strong in powerplay
Pakistan started confidently in the powerplay, scoring 49 runs without losing a wicket. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub built a steady platform.
10:16 pm -
Pakistan make steady start in chase
Pakistan begin cautiously, reaching 28 without loss after four overs.
10:05 pm -
Pakistan dismantle South Africa for 110 runs
Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a stunning performance as South Africa were bundled out for just 110 runs, with Faheem Ashraf leading the attack and Salman Mirza impressing early on.
9:36 pm -
Abrar cleans up Burger
Abrar Ahmed strikes to dismiss Nandre Burger, who is bowled after scoring 9 off 16 deliveries. The leg-spinner continues Pakistan’s dominance with another sharp delivery.
9:30 pm -
Naseem Shah strikes again
Naseem Shah continues his fiery spell, dismissing Corbin Bosch with a perfect outswinger. The fuller delivery holds its line, taking a faint edge through to Usman Khan behind the stumps.
9:10 pm -
Faheem Ashraf picks up his third wicket
Faheem Ashraf continues his brilliant spell, removing Linde with a short ball. The batter drags it onto the stumps off an inside edge as Pakistan tighten their grip on the game.
9:02 pm -
Faheem removes Ferreira
Faheem Ashraf strikes again, dismissing the dangerous Ferreira with a smart off-cutter that clips the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. Pakistan continue their dominance.
8:50 pm -
Faheem removes Brevis
Faheem Ashraf removes Dewald Brevis for 25 off 16 balls. The right-hander mistimed a short slower off-cutter, slicing it straight to Mohammad Nawaz at cover. South Africa lose their fifth wicket as Faheem strikes with a clever variation.
8:30 pm -
Salman Mirza cleans up Breetzke
Salman Mirza strikes again with a brilliant off-cutter that grips and turns past Breetzke’s bat, crashing into the off-stump. Pakistan tighten their grip as South Africa lose another early wicket.
8:26 pm -
Pakistan off to a flying start
Pakistan continue their excellent start as Salman Mirza removes Tony de Zorzi for 7. The left-arm pacer deceived him with a slower off-cutter, forcing a mistimed pull that was comfortably caught by Abrar Ahmed at short fine leg. South Africa are three down early, and Pakistan are firmly in control.
8:18 pm -
Quinton de Kock falls early
Naseem Shah struck in the second over to remove Quinton de Kock, who was caught by Salman Agha after scoring 7 off 6 balls, including one boundary. South Africa lost both openers within the first two overs, giving Pakistan a strong start.
8:12 pm -
Early breakthrough for Pakistan
Salman Mirza provided Pakistan with an early breakthrough, dismissing Reeza Hendricks with a superb delivery on just his second ball. The pacer was visibly pumped as the South African opener departed for a duck, leaving the visitors on the back foot early in the innings.
8:02 pm -
South Africa openers at the crease
The players make their way to the middle as dew is already starting to settle in. How much will it impact the bowlers tonight? Salman Mirza takes the new ball and prepares to start proceedings, with one slip in place.
8:00 pm -
Pitch Report
Vernon Philander notes a nice layer of grass on the surface and expects batters to enjoy the ball coming smoothly onto the bat. He adds that targeting the top of off and bringing the stumps into play will be key in subcontinental conditions.
7:50 pm -
Playing XI:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi
7:35 pm -
Toss Update
Salman and Ferreira are out there for the toss. Salman has the coin. Heads is the call by Ferreira, and tails it is.
Pakistan will bowl first.
We are going to bowl first, Agha says it looks like a bit slow and dew will make it better in the second innings.
“They outplayed us in the last game, we want to brush that game aside and start fresh. We have a couple of changes,” he added.
7:30 pm -
House Full in Lahore
A packed crowd lights up Lahore for the second T20I between Pakistan and South Africa.
7:00 pm -
Player to Watch: Pakistan
Babar Azam: All eyes will once again be on Pakistan’s premier batter as he looks to make a strong comeback after a disappointing outing in Rawalpindi.
Known for his elegance and consistency, Babar will be determined to lead from the front and anchor Pakistan’s innings in Lahore.
With 4,000-plus T20I runs and an average of nearly 40, the 31-year-old right-hander remains the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup and will be eager to silence critics with a commanding performance.
6:40 pm -
Player to Watch: South Africa
Quinton de Kock: After reversing his T20I retirement, the experienced wicketkeeper-batter wasted no time reminding everyone of his class.
His fluent innings in the series opener helped South Africa post a formidable total, setting the tone for the win.
The 32-year-old southpaw’s ability to dominate the powerplay and build quick momentum makes him a vital asset for the Proteas, and Pakistan’s bowlers will need to be at their best to contain him at the Gaddafi Stadium.
6:30 pm -
Pakistan vs South Africa: T20I Head-to-Head
Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other in 25 T20I matches to date.
South Africa lead the head-to-head with 13 wins, while Pakistan have won 12.
In their previous T20I meeting, South Africa claimed a 55-run win in Rawalpindi.
6:04 pm -
Welcome to Live Coverage of Pakistan vs South Africa second T20I
Hello and welcome! We’re thrilled to have you with us as we count down to the second T20I of the series.
South Africa won the first T20I in Rawalpindi by 55 runs.
They’ll be aiming to seal the series here at Gaddafi Stadium, while Pakistan will look to bounce back and keep the series alive.
5:00 pm
