Pakistan aim to bounce back in second T20I against South Africa

Turbulence continues to define Pakistan’s T20 cricket with the national side still groping for the right combination just three months before the ICC T20 World Cup.

The selectors’ revolving-door policy has left the squad unsettled and underprepared for the global event to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka early next year. After a humiliating 55-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in the first T20I at Rawalpindi, Pakistan will face the visitors again in the second match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Despite fielding a second-string side due to injuries and rest for some senior players, South Africa outclassed Pakistan comprehensively in the opening game. Expectations had been higher for the home team, especially after their mixed showing in the Asia Cup in the UAE where they reached the final but suffered their third loss of the tournament against arch-rivals India.

In Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s frontline pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah were taken apart during the power play, conceding 74 runs for one wicket. That blistering start propelled South Africa 194, a total that placed immense pressure on Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup, which ultimately crumbled for just 139.

Naseem, recalled for this T20 series, looked listless and lacked the aggression and control essential for powerplay bowling. Shaheen, who had shown glimpses of his best form during the preceding Test series, also failed to make early inroads leaving Pakistan on the defensive from the outset.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the lone bright spot claiming three wickets in the middle overs and stalling the scoring rate a bit. However, his efforts could not prevent the visitors from amassing a formidable total.

To stand any chance in Lahore, Pakistan must strike early with the ball. The Proteas’ batting was anchored by Reeza Hendricks (60), with valuable contributions from George Linde (36), Tony de Zorzi (33) and Quinton de Kock (23), all scored at brisk strike rates that defined South Africa’s dominance.

Pakistan’s batting response, by contrast, was woeful. After an underwhelming 31-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub off 29 deliveries, wickets fell in rapid succession. Nawaz’s spirited 36 off 20 balls was the only moment of defiance in an otherwise dismal display.

Corbin Bosch produced a career-best spell of 4 for 14 while Linde complemented his batting heroics with 3 for 31, dismissing Saim Ayub, Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf.

Babar Azam’s return to the T20 side after ten months ended in disappointment, a second-ball duck that dealt a psychological blow to Pakistan’s chase. His form remains a concern with only 78 runs in his last six T20I innings. His last fifty came against Ireland in Dublin on May 14, 2024, when he scored 75.

Captain Salman Ali Agha’s struggles have compounded Pakistan’s batting woes. With only 130 runs in his last 12 T20Is, he urgently needs a revival. Saim showed glimpses of promise, and Pakistan will hope that he and Farhan can provide a solid foundation in the second match.

Hasan Nawaz, once hailed after his unbeaten 105 against New Zealand in Auckland earlier this year, has since faltered, accumulating a mere 48 runs in his last seven T20Is. Usman Khan, who switched allegiance from the UAE to Pakistan, must also justify his selection, particularly with the wicketkeeping slot up for debate.

South Africa, traditionally vulnerable against spin, will enter the Lahore clash with renewed confidence after their comprehensive win in Rawalpindi. Their pacers backed up a strong batting performance with precision and aggression leaving Pakistan’s top order in tatters.

The Gaddafi Stadium pitch generally favours batters and offers quick outfields, suggesting a high-scoring contest.For Pakistan, strategic clarity and disciplined execution will be crucial if they are to level the series. Much will depend on Agha Salman’s tactical nous, how effectively he rotates his bowlers and marshals his resources under pressure.

The most crucial task before him will be to finalize the best possible combination, tailored to Lahore’s conditions and calibrated to counter South Africa’s cohesion and strategy.

Both sides, who landed in Lahore on Wednesday, will undergo training at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday night.

Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Abdul Samad, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq.

South Africa squad: Donovan Ferreira (captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wicketkeeper), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil Baartman.