Lahore, November 1, 2025 – Pakistan captain Babar Azam once again proved his class with a heroic 68-run knock, guiding his team to a 4-wicket win over South Africa and sealing the T20I series 2-1 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
South Africa, after being put in to bat first, managed to post a moderate total of 139/9 in 20 overs. Their innings faltered early as Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in his opening spell, triggering a collapse that left the visitors struggling at 76-6. Despite Reeza Hendricks’ efforts to stabilize the innings, Pakistan’s bowlers dominated. Afridi ended with 3 wickets, while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq picked up two each. Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz also chipped in with one wicket apiece.
In reply, Pakistan had a shaky start, losing Saim Ayub for a duck, but Babar Azam held firm and anchored the chase with precision. He formed crucial partnerships with Sahibzada Farhan and Salman Agha, ensuring Pakistan stayed ahead despite a few late wickets. His composed innings, filled with elegant boundaries and smart running between the wickets, proved to be the difference.
South Africa’s bowlers tried to mount pressure in the closing stages, with Lizaad Williams and Corbin Bosch taking two wickets each, while Andile Simelane and Donovan Ferreira claimed one apiece. However, the solid platform laid by Babar made the chase comfortable in the end.
With this victory, Pakistan wrapped up the T20I series 2-1, marking a strong comeback after the opening loss. The team’s camp erupted in celebration as Babar Azam’s return to form became the talking point of the night. The dew-laden conditions aided batting, and Babar capitalized brilliantly with a match-winning innings that showcased his trademark timing and temperament.