Sports

Babar Azam leads Pakistan to series win over South Africa in 3rd T20I

Updated by FFRNews on November 2, 2025

Babar Azam leads Pakistan to series win as the home side defeated South Africa by four wickets in the third and final T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, clinching the series 2–1.

The Pakistan captain once again proved why he remains one of the finest T20 batters in the world. Chasing a target of 140, Babar Azam’s elegant 68 off 47 balls anchored the innings and ensured Pakistan’s successful pursuit after early setbacks. His calculated strokeplay, including nine crisp boundaries, provided much-needed stability at the top.

Pakistan defeated South Africa by four wickets in the third and final T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, clinching the series 2–1. The star of the night was once again Babar Azam, who produced a classy knock of 68 off 47 balls to anchor Pakistan’s chase of 140. His return to fluent form not only steadied the innings after early hiccups but also reaffirmed his status as Pakistan’s most dependable T20 batter.

The victory was a comprehensive effort that reflected Pakistan’s growing balance under captain Salman Agha, who also contributed a vital 33 off 26 balls. The bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, had earlier restricted South Africa to just 139–9, setting the stage for a clinical chase.

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Early Damage by Shaheen Afridi

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi immediately justified the decision. He trapped Quinton de Kock for a duck and then dismissed Lhuan-dre Pretorius the very next delivery to leave South Africa reeling at 0–2 within the first over. His pace, swing, and aggression once again made the difference on a pitch that offered bounce and movement under lights.

South Africa struggled to recover from the early blow. Reeza Hendricks (34 off 36) and Dewald Brevis (21 off 22) attempted to rebuild, but tight spells from Usman Tariq and Faheem Ashraf ensured the visitors never gained momentum.

Donovan Ferreira’s quickfire 29 off 14 balls briefly lifted the run rate, but Faheem struck twice in an over to remove both Ferreira and George Linde, halting the comeback. Corbin Bosch’s unbeaten 30 was the only other notable contribution as South Africa finished with 139–9 in their allotted overs.

Bowling Figures Reflect Team Effort

Every Pakistani bowler contributed. Shaheen Afridi returned figures of 3 for 26, while Faheem Ashraf picked 2 for 28. Usman Tariq continued his impressive run with 2 for 26, and Salman Mirza maintained the pressure with an economical spell of 1 for 16.

The bowlers’ discipline was particularly impressive during the death overs, where they conceded just 21 runs in the last four overs — a key factor in preventing South Africa from reaching a defendable total on Lahore’s batting-friendly surface.

Babar Azam’s Masterclass in the Chase

Chasing 140, Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start as Saim Ayub fell for a six-ball duck and Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 19. But it was Babar Azam’s calm authority that stabilized the chase. With impeccable timing and elegant strokeplay, Babar dominated the bowlers, collecting nine boundaries and rotating the strike smartly to build key partnerships.

He first shared a 76-run stand with skipper Salman Agha, who complemented him perfectly with fluent drives and quick singles. Their partnership took Pakistan from a tricky 44–2 to 120–3, virtually sealing the contest.

When Babar finally fell for 68 (47 balls), Pakistan needed just 15 runs off 20 balls. A few late wickets — including Hasan Nawaz (5) and Mohammad Nawaz (0) — gave South Africa faint hope, but Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf held their nerves to complete the chase in the 19th over.

A Captain’s Confidence in the Squad

Speaking after the match, skipper Salman Agha praised the team’s all-round effort:

“We played as a unit. The bowlers set it up beautifully, and Babar’s innings made the chase look easy. Winning a home series against South Africa means a lot for us heading into the next ICC cycle.”

His leadership, though new on the international scene, has impressed both fans and analysts. Balancing senior stars like Babar and Shaheen with emerging talents such as Usman Tariq and Hasan Nawaz has given Pakistan fresh tactical depth.

South Africa Left Searching for Answers

For South Africa, it was another night of missed opportunities. The top order’s collapse and lack of finishing power proved costly. Captain Donovan Ferreira admitted after the match that they were 20–25 runs short of a competitive total.

“We didn’t execute well enough with the bat. Credit to Pakistan — they kept the pressure on, especially in the powerplay,” he said.

Despite flashes of brilliance from Bosch and Ferreira, South Africa’s middle order looked uncertain against spin and pace variations. Their bowlers, too, failed to make early inroads once Babar settled in.

Player of the Match and Series

Unsurprisingly, Babar Azam was named Player of the Match for his composed innings that ensured Pakistan’s series win. Across the three-match series, he scored 152 runs, reaffirming his consistency in the T20 format.
Shaheen Afridi, with seven wickets across the series, was named Player of the Series for his ability to deliver breakthroughs with the new ball.

What’s Next for Pakistan

This series win gives Pakistan vital momentum ahead of their upcoming away T20 series against New Zealand. The victory also provides reassurance to selectors and fans that the team’s combination of experience and youth is beginning to gel at the right time.

Pakistan’s dominant bowling, Babar’s form, and Agha’s tactical maturity will be key assets as they continue building toward next year’s T20 World Cup.

As fireworks lit up the Lahore sky, Pakistan’s 4-wicket triumph was not just another home win — it was a statement of intent from a team regaining its rhythm and belief under pressure.

Match Summary: