South Africa produced a disciplined all-round performance to beat Pakistan by 55 runs in the opening T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 195, Pakistan’s batting lineup once again crumbled under pressure, folding for 139 in 18.1 overs.
Corbin Bosch was the star with the ball, claiming an exceptional 4 for 14 to crush Pakistan’s hopes of comeback.
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Saim Ayub looked under pressure at the start but soon found his rhythm, scoring 37 off 28 balls with four sixes, while Mohammad Nawaz fought hard down the order with a 36-run knock.
However, the lack of partnerships cost Pakistan dearly as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
Sahibzada Farhan added 24 runs, but the rest of the lineup offered little resistance.
READ: Pakistan vs South Africa T20I Series: H2H, Squads & Where to Watch
Captain Salman Ali Agha managed only 2, while Usman Khan and Hasan Nawaz made 12 and 3 respectively.
Babar Azam, returning to T20I action, was dismissed for a duck.
The lower order provided no answers either, with Faheem Ashraf (1), Shaheen Shah Afridi (4), and Naseem Shah (9) all falling cheaply.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, South Africa posted 194 for 9 in 20 overs. The visitors started aggressively, with Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks adding 44 runs inside four overs.
De Kock struck five boundaries in his brisk 23 off 13 balls before Saim Ayub provided Pakistan’s first breakthrough.
Hendricks continued the charge, playing a composed innings of 60 off 40 deliveries, laced with five fours and a six.
On debut, Tony de Zorzi impressed with a quickfire 33 off 16 balls, while George Linde added late impetus with 36 from just 22 deliveries.
Despite losing momentum midway, South Africa’s aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz led the fightback with figures of 3 for 26, while Ayub claimed two wickets.
Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up one each.
Pakistan will look to regroup and bounce back in the second T20I, which will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 31, before the series concludes on November 1.
