Pakistan outplayed South Africa in the second T20I at Lahore’s packed Gaddafi Stadium on Friday to level the three-match series 1-1.
Both sides will lock horns in the series decider at the same venue on Saturday at 08:00 pm.
Chasing a below-par 111-run target for victory, Pakistan crossed the finish line with nine wickets in hand and 41 balls to spare.
Saim Ayb regained his form with a brisk 71 runs off 38 balls after a lacklustre show with the bat in his last T20I and during the Asia Cup. During his 57-minute stay at the crease, the left-handed batter hit six fours and five maximums, including trademark no-look shots.
Sahibzada Farhan hit three huge sixes in his knock of 28 off 23 balls. Star batter Babar Azam contributed 11 runs off 18 balls. It included the signature cover drive, which fetched him four runs to open his account.
During his 11-run knock, Babar Azam surpassed India’s Rohit Sharma to become the leading run-scorer in the T20Is. Now Babar Azam has 4,234 runs to his name. It followed by Rohit Sharma, who has made 4,231 runs.
Corbin Bosch bagged the only wicket to fall in the Pakistan innings. Salman Mirza was named Player of the Match for his opening spell, which laid a strong foundation for the Green shirts’ victory.
South Africa Scorecard:
After being put into bat first by Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were bundled out for 110 in 19.2 overs.
Dewald Brevis was the highest scorer for the visitors with 25 runs off 16 balls, laced with three huge sixes. Skipper Donovan Ferreira contributed 15 off 15 balls with the help of two boundaries.
Ottneil Baartman made 12 off 19 balls and Corbin Bosch 11 off 12 balls. No other batter could enter the double figures. Faheem Ashraf bagged four wickets, Salman Mirza three and Naseem Shah two, while Abrar Ahmed took one wicket.
South Africa Playing XI: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke. Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi
Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha(c), Usman Khan(w), Hasan Nawaz. Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
