Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez took a sharp dig at the national team following their 55-run defeat to South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Taking to social media platform X, Hafeez suggested that Pakistan’s poor performance was not due to the pitch conditions but reflected the team’s overall standard and consistency.
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“Nothing wrong with Pindi pitch, but the obvious difference is the standard of cricket. #PAKvSA. International league vs International team,” Hafeez wrote.
South Africa, meanwhile, secured a 55-run win in the series opener, powered by Corbin Bosch’s four-wicket haul and Reeza Hendricks’ composed 60 off 40 balls.
Chasing 195, Pakistan collapsed for 139 in 18.1 overs.
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For Pakistan, Saim Ayub top-scored with 37 runs, striking one four and four sixes.
Mohammad Nawaz played a fighting knock of 36 off 20 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and two sixes, while Sahibzada Farhan contributed 24 off 19.
In bowling, Nawaz led the attack with figures of 3 for 26.
Ayub picked up two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one each.
South Africa’s batting also saw quick contributions from George Linde (36 off 22), debutant Tony de Zorzi (33), and returning Quinton de Kock (23).
Bosch spearheaded the visitors’ bowling with four wickets, followed by Linde with three and Williams with two.
Pakistan will now look to regroup ahead of the second T20I at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
