South Africa Crush Pakistan by 55 Runs in 1st T20I as Babar Azam Falls for a Duck
South Africa delivered a clinical performance in the opening T20I of the three-match series, defeating Pakistan by 55 runs at the iconic Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 28, 2025. The match marked the return of Babar Azam to T20 internationals, but his comeback ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a duck, leaving Pakistan fans stunned.
South Africa’s Power-Packed Batting Performance
South Africa’s innings was a showcase of aggressive intent and smart partnerships:
- Reeza Hendricks led the charge with a composed 60 off 40 balls, anchoring the innings.
- Quinton de Kock, back in T20 action, smashed 23 off just 11 balls, setting the tone early.
- Tony de Zorzi, on debut, impressed with a rapid 33 off 16 balls.
- George Linde added late fireworks, hammering Shaheen Afridi for 18 runs in the 17th over.
- The Proteas posted a formidable 194/9 in 20 overs, despite a late fightback from Pakistan’s spinners.
Bowling Highlights for Pakistan:
- Mohammad Nawaz: 3/26
- Saim Ayub: 2/31
- Abrar Ahmed: 1/42
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse: Babar’s Duck Shocks Home Crowd
Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum:
- Babar Azam, needing just 9 runs to surpass Rohit Sharma’s T20I record of 4,231 runs, was dismissed for a duck on his second ball, caught by Hendricks in the covers.
- Saim Ayub top-scored with 37 off 28 balls, surviving an early drop.
- Mohammad Nawaz added a brisk 36 off 20 balls to delay the inevitable.
- Pakistan were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs, with only four batters reaching double figures.
South Africa’s Bowling Masterclass
South Africa’s bowlers executed their plans with precision:
- Corbin Bosch was the standout, claiming 4/14, including the prized wicket of Babar Azam.
- George Linde continued his all-round brilliance with 3/31.
- Captain Donovan Ferreira, leading in the absence of David Miller, praised the team’s energy and execution, especially in the power play and death overs.
Ferreira said:
“It was a collective effort. Reeza held it together nicely, George exploded late, and Bosch hit the deck hard. Four wickets is an amazing achievement.”
Video Highlights & Key Moments
While the full match highlights are available on YouTube, here’s a quick summary of what the video covers:
- Babar Azam’s dramatic dismissal and crowd reaction
- Bosch’s fiery spell and celebration
- Linde’s explosive batting in the death overs
- Pakistan’s missed chances and dropped catches
- Post-match interviews with Ferreira and Salman Ali Agha
Upcoming Fixtures
- 2nd T20I: Friday, October 31 – Lahore
- 3rd T20I: Saturday, November 1 – Lahore
- ODI Series: November 4–8 – Faisalabad
