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Babar Azam returns as hero in Pakistan's dramatic series win vs South Africa in Lahore

Akshita Patel

Babar Azam guide Pakistan to series win [Source: @RayhamUnplugged/X.com]Babar Azam guide Pakistan to series win [Source: @RayhamUnplugged/X.com]

Pakistan held their nerve to seal a tense four-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I. The victory, led by Babar Azam’s composed 68 off 47 balls, helped Pakistan chase down a tricky target of 140 with an over to spare.

Batting collapse sinks South Africa again 

South Africa, who won the toss and opted to bat first, never quite recovered from a disastrous start. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi struck early, removing Quinton de Kock for a duck and trapping Lhuan-dre Pretorius the very next ball to leave the visitors reeling at 0/2. 

Young pacer Usman Tariq then dismissed Dewald Brevis for 21 after a brief counterattack, and wickets kept tumbling regularly. 

At 42/4, South Africa needed someone to steady the innings, and captain Donovan Ferreira stepped up with an aggressive 29 off just 14 balls, including three sixes. 

However, just as he looked dangerous, he was caught at long-off off Faheem Ashraf, who then removed George Linde off the very next delivery. Only Reeza Hendricks (34 off 36) and Corbin Bosch (30*) offered any real resistance as Pakistan’s bowlers kept things tight. 

Shaheen Afridi finished with 3/26, while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq picked up two wickets each. 

South Africa ended on a modest 139/9 from their 20 overs, a total that looked well below par but was still defendable on a two-paced surface.

Babar Azam returns to form to steer Pakistan to a series win

Pakistan’s chase, however, was not without early drama. Opener Saim Ayub fell for a six-ball duck, and Sahibzada Farhan departed soon after for 19, leaving the hosts at 44/2 in the seventh over. 

But home hero Babar Azam anchored the innings with calm authority while smartly rotating the strike and punishing bad balls.

He found a dependable partner in captain Salman Agha, who scored a useful 33 runs off 26 balls. Between them, the two put on 76 runs for the third wicket, which proved to be the game-changing partnership in Pakistan's favour.

However, a mini-collapse followed when both Babar and Salman fell within quick succession, giving South Africa a glimmer of hope. 

Corbin Bosch and Lizaad Williams struck twice each to peg Pakistan back to 134/6. But with just six runs needed, Faheem Ashraf (4*) and Usman Khan (6*) held their composure to see Pakistan home with six wickets down and one over remaining.

For South Africa, Bosch was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/24, while Williams also took two wickets. Yet, their efforts couldn’t deny Pakistan a well-deserved win in front of a packed home crowd.

With that win, Pakistan sealed the 3-game series with a 2-1 finish.