Pakistan completed a strong comeback to clinch the T20I series against South Africa, winning the third and final match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 140, Pakistan reached 140-6 in 19 overs, sealing a four-wicket victory and taking the three-match series 2-1 after a heavy defeat in the opener.
Star batter Babar Azam top-scored with 68 off 47 balls, hitting nine boundaries, while captain Salman Ali Agha added a crucial 33 from 26 deliveries.
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Their partnership steadied Pakistan after a rocky start, despite Saim Ayub falling for a six-ball duck early in the innings.
Earlier, the hosts bowled first following Agha’s winning toss. Pakistan’s bowlers put up a disciplined performance to restrict South Africa to 139-9 in 20 overs.
READ: Pakistan dominate South Africa to level T20I series
Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to the side with a brilliant opening spell, removing Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks.
Debutant Usman Tariq impressed with two crucial wickets, including Dewald Brevis and Reeza Hendricks, while Faheem Ashraf took two more, including a dismissal of Donovan Ferreira.
Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Mirza added one wicket each.
South Africa struggled to build momentum, with Brevis scoring 21 off 22 balls and Hendricks top-scoring with 34 from 36 deliveries.
Corbin Bosch’s late unbeaten 30 helped the visitors reach a modest total, but it was never enough against Pakistan’s collective bowling effort.
Despite losing wickets in the death overs, Pakistan’s batsmen handled the chase carefully.
After Babar and Agha’s partnership, the Proteas struck back, dismissing both, but Faheem Ashraf and Usman Khan guided Pakistan over the line with calm finishing touches, scoring 4* and 6* respectively.
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Pakistan secures victory
Pakistan secures victory over South Africa, reaching 140-6 in the nineteenth over.
11:33 pm -
Mohammad Nawaz bowled
Mohammad Nawaz departs for a duck, bowled by Andile Simelane, adding pressure on Pakistan.
11:28 pm -
Hasan Nawaz departs
Hasan Nawaz dismissed for 5 by Lizaad Williams, caught by Reeza Hendricks.
11:25 pm -
Pakistan inch closer
Pakistan reach 128-4 in 17 overs, needing 12 runs from 18 balls.
11:20 pm -
Babar Azam departs
Babar Azam falls for 68 off 47, leaving Pakistan needing 15 runs from 22 balls.
11:15 pm -
Pakistan in control
Babar Azam adds crucial runs as Pakistan need 17 from 24 balls with three wickets down.
11:13 pm -
Salman Agha departs
Williams strikes as Salman Agha is caught for 33, leaving Pakistan 20 runs short with 27 balls remaining.
11:10 pm -
Pakistan closing in on target
Babar Azam and Salman Agha guide Pakistan to 115-2, needing 25 runs from 30 balls.
11:05 pm -
Babar keeps Pakistan in control
Babar Azam hits 63 off 42 as Pakistan reach 107-2, needing 33 runs from 36 balls.
11:00 pm -
Babar reaches fifty
Babar Azam scores 52 off 38 balls, guiding Pakistan to 94-2 with 46 runs needed from 42 deliveries.
10:55 pm -
Babar anchors Pakistan’s chase
Babar Azam remains steady on 35 off 30 balls as Pakistan reach 64 for 2, needing 76 runs from 60 deliveries.
10:40 pm -
Pakistan off to steady start
Pakistan began their chase carefully, losing both openers early and reaching 46 for 2 after eight overs.
10:25 pm -
Pakistan restrict South Africa to 139
Shaheen Afridi bagged three wickets, while Usman Tariq and Faheem Ashraf claimed two each as South Africa were held to 139/9 in Lahore. Pakistan need 140 to win the series.
9:50 pm -
Pakistan bowlers tighten grip
Pakistan’s bowling attack dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup, reducing them to 92 for 6 after 14 overs.
9:10 pm -
Usman Tariq claims maiden T20I wicket
Usman Tariq strikes in just his second delivery, dismissing Brevis for 21 as Babar Azam takes a comfortable catch at long-on.
8:35 pm -
Shaheen Afridi strikes twice in his opening over
The left-arm pacer produced a dream start, removing Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock for ducks in his first over to put South Africa on the back foot early.
8:05 pm -
Usman Tariq to debut
Shaheen Shah Afridi presented debutant Usman Tariq with his maiden T20I cap before the series decider against South Africa, marking a memorable milestone for the spinner.
7:45 pm -
Pitch Report
Analysts Urooj Mumtaz and JP Duminy note that the new pitch closely resembles yesterday’s surface, where change of pace proved crucial. They suggest batters will need to be proactive, using the crease and stepping out to tackle variations effectively.
7:40 pm -
Playing XI:
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil BaartmanPakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq7:35 pm -
Pakistan choose to bowl first
Salman Agha continued his impressive streak by winning his fifth consecutive toss in the series.
Confident after a dominant display in the previous match, Pakistan have opted to bowl first.
Shaheen Afridi returns to the lineup, while Usman Tariq makes his debut.
7:30 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 in the series.
Known for his elegance and consistency, Babar will be determined to lead from the front and anchor Pakistan’s innings in Lahore.
As the leading run-scorer in T20Is with an average of nearly 40, the 31-year-old right-hander remains the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup and will be eager to deliver big in the series decider.
7:27 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 and set the tone for victory, though he failed to deliver in the second T20I.
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.
7:25 pm -
Pakistan vs South Africa: T20I Head-to-Head
Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other in 26 T20I matches to date.
Both teams are now level in head-to-head record, with South Africa and Pakistan winning 13 matches each.
In their previous T20I meeting, Pakistan secured a nine wicket win in Lahore.
7:00 pm -
Welcome to Live Coverage of Pakistan vs South Africa third T20I
Hello and welcome! We’re excited to have you with us as we gear up for the third T20I of the series.
South Africa won the first T20I in Rawalpindi by 55 runs, while Pakistan bounced back in the second T20I, winning by 9 wickets.
Both teams will be looking to clinch the series at Gaddafi Stadium, with the series currently level at 1-1.
5:00 pm
