- Babar Azam falls for a duck on T20I return
A fearless South African unit outplayed Pakistan in every department to claim a 55-run win in the opening T20I in Rawalpindi, taking a 1-0 series lead. The visitors, led by Reeza Hendricks’ 60 and all-round brilliance from George Linde, piled up 194 for 9 before bowling out Pakistan for 139.
Corbin Bosch was ruthless with the ball, finishing with 4 for 14, while Linde’s all-round effort — 36 runs and 3 wickets — anchored South Africa’s dominance. Pakistan’s innings never took off as they slumped to early losses, including Babar Azam’s second-ball duck on his T20I return.
Despite Mohammad Nawaz’s late resistance with 36 off 20 balls, Pakistan’s chase fell apart under sustained pressure. South Africa’s sharp bowling and fearless batting exposed Pakistan’s frailties in front of a home crowd that emptied long before the final wicket fell.
A composed, clinical display from a so-called “second-string” South Africa — and a wake-up call for Pakistan’s struggling stars.
