Babar, Shaheen star as Pakistan clinch T20I series win over South Africa

Pakistan defeated South Africa by four wickets in the third T20I as Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fiery spell of 3 for 26 and Babar Azam’s masterful 68 off 47 balls propelled the home team to a 2-1 series win at the sell-out Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

Chasing a modest 140, Pakistan reached the target in 19 overs, as Babar finally regained the form with an elegant knock that proved decisive in a contest that saw both sides battle for dominance till the final overs.

Earlier, after electing to bat first, South Africa managed 139 for 9, with Reeza Hendricks (34) being the top scorer.

For the home side, Shaheen Afridi struck twice in his opening over, dismissing both Quinton de Kock and debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius for zero. Faheem Ashraf (2–28) and debutant off-spinner Usman Tariq (2–26) further ensured the Proteas never built a lasting momentum.

Apart from Hendricks, Corbin Bosch remained unbeaten on 30 and skipper Donovan Ferreira added a brisk 29 off 14 balls. South Africa were reduced to 42 for 4 in the ninth over and later 76 for 6 before Bosch’s late cameo lifted them to 139.

Babar steals the show

Pakistan’s chase began shakily when Saim Ayub fell for a duck in the second over, caught at mid-on off Bosch.

Babar Azam then joined Sahibzada Farhan and the pair added 36 runs for the second wicket before Farhan departed for 19. At 44 for 2, Babar and Agha Salman steadied the ship with a 76-run partnership for the third wicket.

Salman contributed a handy 33 off 26 balls before falling to Lizaad Williams. Babar, in sublime touch, continued to stroke boundaries with effortless grace.

He reached his 37th T20I half-century and first in 17 months with three consecutive fours off Ottneil Baartman, a reminder of his elegant mastery.

Babar eventually perished for 68, caught by Hendricks off Bosch, leaving Pakistan 15 runs shy of victory. His innings featured nine fours and he also overtook Virat Kohli for most fifty-plus scores in T20Is, 40.

Though Pakistan briefly wobbled with late wickets of Hasan Nawaz (5) and Mohammad Nawaz (0), Usman Khan (6 not out) and Faheem Ashraf (4 not out) calmly sealed the win with six balls to spare.

Bosch and Williams finished with two wickets apiece for South Africa while Ferreira and Andile Simelane took one each.

Shaheen’s searing pace display

The hosts started dominantly as the star pacer Shaheen Afridi’s double strikes in the first over never allowed the South African batters to score at a brisk pace.

Debutant Usman Tariq’s maiden international wicket came when Dewald Brevis (21 off 22) holed out to Babar in the deep. Ferreira provided brief resistance, hammering three sixes and a four off Nawaz in one over before falling to Faheem.

Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control throughout, conceding only 43 runs in the final five overs despite Bosch’s late flourish.

With this victory, Pakistan completed a 2–1 series triumph, having lost the first T20I in Rawalpindi by 55 runs.

The focus now shifts to the three-match ODI series at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad with the matches to be played on November 4, 6 and 8.