Babar Azam showcased his batting prowess with a stylish half-century as Pakistan secured a narrow four-wicket victory over South Africa in the final T20I match at the Gaddafi Stadium. This win sealed a 2-1 triumph for Pakistan in the three-match series.
After a period of inconsistent performances, Babar Azam’s elegant innings of 68 runs off 47 deliveries marked his first T20I fifty in a year and a half, with his previous one coming against Ireland in May 2024. Babar reached his half-century milestone in 36 balls, guiding Pakistan’s chase of 140 runs with his trademark finesse and accuracy, hitting nine boundaries along the way.
Pakistan faced a shaky start in their pursuit of 140 runs, losing Saim Ayub for a duck, matching Umar Akmal’s record for the most T20I ducks by a Pakistani player. Sahibzada Farhan (19) and Babar steadied the ship with a 36-run partnership before Agha Salman (33 off 26) provided crucial support to Babar, forming a pivotal 76-run alliance that swung the game in Pakistan’s favor.
Despite some late wickets creating tension, Faheem Ashraf’s composed finish ensured Pakistan reached the target with six balls to spare, finishing at 140/6. Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers played a crucial role in setting up the victory by restricting South Africa to 139/9. Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 26, while debutant Usman Tariq impressed on his T20I debut with 2 for 26, including key dismissals of Reeza Hendricks (34) and Dewald Brevis (21).
Faheem Ashraf also contributed with two wickets as South Africa struggled to build momentum, despite Donovan Ferreira’s quickfire 29 off 14 balls. Pakistan’s win not only secured the series but also boosted Babar Azam’s confidence as a key batsman for the team. This innings symbolized a resurgence for Babar, reaffirming his status as Pakistan’s top T20 batter for the upcoming international season.
In summary, South Africa posted 139/9 in 20 overs, with Pakistan chasing down the target to reach 140/6 in 19 overs. Babar Azam’s stellar performance led Pakistan to victory by four wickets, highlighting his importance to the team’s success.