South Africa in Pakistan, 3 T20I Series, 2025 |3rd T20I |11/1/2025 Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Commentary
And that's a wrap! What a magnificent victory for Pakistan, clinching the T20I series in style. The players lift the trophy for the celebrations and pose for photos. The two sides now have an ODI series lined up, which begins on November 4, with the first ball scheduled for 9 AM GMT. Join us for all the early build-up, the toss, and every moment of the action. Until then, farewell from all of us, and cheers!
Salman Agha, the skipper of Pakistan, says that he is happy with the team's performance. He adds that every player in the team knows their role and they play accordingly. He says that they keep on learning from every game and they believe in their players. Ends by saying that they would love to be more clinical, but they are happy to win the series from behind.
Donovan Ferreira, the skipper of South Africa, says that they failed to perform with the bat once again. He says that there have been a lot of learnings from this series and they will look to improve on those. He adds that they can take a lot from this series, and he enjoyed his captaincy.
Faheem Ashraf is the Player of the Series. He says that the team gives him a specific role, and he sticks to that role. He adds that he plays with the minds of the batters and bowls accordingly. He mentions that he always keeps the team first, and he is happy with the win.
Babar Azam is the Player of the Match for his magnificent knock. He says that the way the crowd has supported him was excellent. He says that he backed himself and he worked on himself and got better in the things he was struggling with. He says that the ball was turning a bit at the start, so they wanted to take the game deep. Ends by saying that it would be great if the crowd supports the entire team as they support him.
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Earlier in the game, South Africa fell short again after being put in to bat, with Shaheen Afridi’s early double strike and tight spin reducing them to 76-6. Hendricks tried to steady things, but the innings never took off. They ended up with a below par total of 139 runs. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi picked three wickets and was the pick of the bowlers. Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq picked two while Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with one each.
Ultimately, Pakistan successfully chased down the target and won the match by 4 wickets. This victory marked their second win in as many days, allowing them to clinch the T20 series. Babar Azam's return to form was the defining factor, ensuring a relatively straightforward end to the game despite the late flutter of wickets. For South Africa, Lizaad Williams and Corbin Bosch picked two wickets while Andile Simelane and Donovan Ferreira chipped in with one each.
Although Pakistan lost Saim Ayub early for a duck, Babar Azam held his ground and ensured the momentum stayed with Pakistan. Even after Babar was dismissed, and the team lost a few more quick wickets towards the end, the required runs were minimal. The solid foundation he had set meant that South Africa's late efforts were not enough to stage a comeback.
All smiles in the Pakistan camp as they win this series by 2-1. A comfortable victory for Pakistan, largely thanks to a brilliant performance by Babar Azam. The conditions, aided by the dew, made batting easier, and Babar capitalized with a scintillating knock, displaying some fantastic strokes. He was the anchor of the innings, first with Sahibzada Farhan, and then with Salman Agha, which put Pakistan firmly in control of the chase.
18.6
1
Andile Simelane to Usman Khan, That will do! Short, on middle, Usman Khan pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. Pakistan beat South Africa by 4 wickets and win this T20I series!
18.5
1
Andile Simelane to Faheem Ashraf, Full, on middle, Faheem Ashraf clips it to fine leg for one more. The scores are now level.
18.4
1
Andile Simelane to Usman Khan, On a length, on leg, Usman Khan flicks it fine for a single.
18.3
3
Andile Simelane to Faheem Ashraf, Three runs. Short and wide, Faheem Ashraf cuts it through point. The fielder fumbles a bit in the deep as the batters collect three runs.
Faheem Ashraf walks in.
18.2
W
Andile Simelane to Mohammad Nawaz, OUT! CHOPPED ON! gets his first wicket. Back of a length, slower ball, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz looks to pull it but gets a bottom edge as the ball chops onto the stumps. Mohammad Nawaz walks back for a golden duck. Is there a twist in the tale?
18.1
1
Andile Simelane to Usman Khan, Slower one, on off, Usman Khan flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
END OF OVER 18 | 5 Runs & 1 Wkt | PAK 133/5
Mohammad Nawaz walks in.
17.6
W
Lizaad Williams to Hasan Nawaz, OUT! CAUGHT! Lizaad Williams strikes. Short ball does the trick. Short, on middle, Hasan Nawaz stays back and looks to pull it but fails to get the elevation right. The ball carries towards deep mid-wicket. Reeza Hendricks settles under it and completes the catch.
17.5
0
Lizaad Williams to Hasan Nawaz, Short, on off, Hasan Nawaz leaves it alone.
17.4
0
Lizaad Williams to Hasan Nawaz, Keeps it on leg, Hasan Nawaz flicks it to the left of the keeper. Dot.
17.3
0
Lizaad Williams to Hasan Nawaz, Slower one, on off, Hasan Nawaz blocks it back.
17.2
4
Lizaad Williams to Hasan Nawaz, FOUR! Top shot from Hasan Nawaz! On a length, outside off, Hasan Nawaz leans on and caresses it through covers for a boundary.
17.1
1
Lizaad Williams to Usman Khan, On a length, outside off, Usman Khan steers it through backward point for a single.