Green Shirts Dominate Final T20 to Win Series

News Desk 

Lahore: Pakistan defeated South Africa by four wickets in the final T20I at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, clinching the three-match series 2-1. Babar Azam’s fluent 68 off 47 balls anchored the chase, guiding the hosts to a comfortable victory with six balls to spare.

Chasing 140, Pakistan had a shaky start as opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck in the second over. Babar then combined with Sahibzada Farhan for a 36-run partnership before Farhan fell for 19 off 18 balls. At 44/2 after seven overs, Babar partnered with captain Salman Ali Agha, adding 76 runs for the third wicket.

South Africa fought back briefly, with Lizaad Williams and Corbin Bosch dismissing Agha and Babar in quick succession. Babar top-scored with nine fours in his 68, while Agha contributed 33 off 26. Pakistan’s lower order held firm as Faheem Ashraf (6*) and Usman (4*) steered the team to victory.

For South Africa, Williams and Bosch took two wickets each, while Andile Simelane and Donovan Ferreira claimed one apiece.

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Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to field first paid dividends as the home bowlers restricted South Africa to 139/9 in 20 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi took early wickets, removing Quinton de Kock and Lhuandré Pretorius for ducks. Dewald Brevis and Reeza Hendricks tried to steady the innings, but Brevis fell for 21 off 22 balls, and Hendricks eventually top-scored with 34 off 36.

Faheem Ashraf and debutant Usman Tariq wreaked havoc in the middle overs, taking two wickets each, while Shaheen finished with figures of 3/26. Corbin Bosch remained unbeaten on 30, helping South Africa reach 139.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the team, praising Babar’s batting and Shaheen’s bowling for securing the series win. “This triumph reflects teamwork, dedication, and a professional approach, and cricket fans thoroughly enjoyed every match,” he said.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also lauded Pakistan’s performance on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Very well played boys in Green! Congratulations to our team for a brilliant performance against South Africa.” He commended the PCB and the team for their efforts.

Meanwhile, both Pakistan and South Africa have arrived in Faisalabad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series, set to begin on November 4. Teams are scheduled for practice sessions on Monday, with South Africa training from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Pakistan later in the evening at 6 p.m. Tight VVIP-level security arrangements have been put in place for both squads.