Pakistan vs South Africa Live Score, 1st T20I Update: Nawaz’s Triple Strike Puts PAK In Command | SA - 145/5 (15)

South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira(c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Pakistan XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha(c), Usman Khan(w), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Nawaz finishes his spell in style! A quicker one that skids on and sneaks through Ferreira’s defence to rattle the stumps. A sharp, clever delivery, and Nawaz walks away with a well-deserved three-for!

Reeza Hendricks brings up a composed fifty off 33 balls. He started aggressively but slowed down after watching the collapse at the other end, someone had to keep the innings steady, after all. He did his job pretty well. However, the job is not done yet.

Saim Ayub does it again. that golden arm must have a Midas touch! Breetzke thought he had a freebie to put away, but ends up gifting a catch straight to Nawaz. Pakistan celebrating, few quick wickets for them, thanks to the spinners. Breetzke goes for just 1.

Nawaz strikes again! Brevis goes for an ambitious drive but is beaten by the drift and turn, the ball sneaks through and crashes into the stumps. A short, fiery cameo ends abruptly. Brevis departs for just 9.

Matthew Breetzke comes to the crease, while Hendricks keeping one end safe, playing on 40 off 23.

And it's time for the drinks too.

Dewald Brevis walks out with clear intent, the message from the dugout seems simple: No time for singles. He wastes no time, smashing a six off his fourth ball to put the pressure right back on Pakistan.

Mohammad Nawaz provides a much-need breakthrough. de Zorzi charges down the track far too early, and the wily spinner spots it in time, firing it wider. Usman Khan whips off the bails in a flash. De Zorzi walks back after a fiery 33 off 16, clever bowling, sharp keeping.

Another big over for South Africa, 15 runs off Salman Agha, the skipper trying to lead from the front... just not in the way he intended! De Zorzi and Hendricks are batting like they’ve mistaken this for a six-hitting contest, both cruising at strike rates over 200. Not a great sign for the Pakistani bowlers. They desparately need a breakthrough.

What a great start by the Proteas. Even after losing de Kock in the 4th over, they continued to attack. Tony de Zorzi has been striking so well with 25 runs off only 11 balls. Last over of the powerplay provided 16 runs to the South African team and Naseem Shah has already conceded 29 runs in his 2 overs.

Saim Ayub strikes in his very first over and shows why he's the no. 1 T20I all-rounder in the world currently. De Kock goes for an expansive drive but slices it straight to Faheem Ashraf at cover-point. A sharp catch ends a promising start, South Africa lose its first wicket inside the powerplay.

15 runs from this over from Shaheen Afridi and Quinton de Kock showing why he's back from the retirement. Three overs gone, and this surface looks tailor-made for batting, true bounce and plenty of pace. Pakistan makes an early change as Saim Ayub replaces Naseem Shah to bowl some spin.

Great over by Shaheen Afridi as usual. The early movement was troubling the SA openers. However, they survived the threat in the first over without scoring a boundary.

We are all set for action in Pindi! The crowd is buzzing despite it being a working day. Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock stride out to open for South Africa. Shaheen Afridi takes the new ball, energy high, crowd louder. Here we go!

Matches played - 24

Pakistan Wins - 12

South Africa Wins - 12

Salman Ali Agha has won the toss and Pakistan will bowl first against South Africa in Rawalpindi.

The surface in Rawalpindi is known for it's batting friendly nature with bowlers getting a bit of swing early on in the innings. The highest first innings total in this pitch is 193, scored by Pakistan back in 2023. Nonetheless, it will be a good toss to win for either sides.

The weather tonight in Rawalpindi looks excellent for a full game. There no chances of rain. A clear to hazy sky will remain throughout the evening. Temperatures will be cool and comfortable for the players and spectators, sitting around 22 degree Celsius to 24 degree Celsius during the main hours of play. No interruptions due to weather are expected.

Babar Azam needs 8 runs to match Rohit Sharma and anything more than that to become the leading run-scorer in Men's T20 Internationals.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson confirmed yesterday that Babar Azam will slot into his most preferred position at number 3. Babar has replaced the explosive Fakhar Zaman, who has taken a break from T20Is to focus on domestic cricket.

Welcome to the live coverage of the 1st T20I between Pakistan and South Africa. Stay tuned for the build-up, head-to-head, pitch report, weather report, toss update and live scores from the match.