Pakistan Vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Babar Azam Out For Duck As SA Beat PAK By 55 Runs In Rawalpindi

Pakistan suffered a humiliating 55-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in the 1st T20I to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Tuesday, October 28. Earlier, PAK captain Salman Ali Agha had won the toss and opted to bowl.

South Africa had earlier made 194-9 after captain Donovan Ferreira lost the toss and was asked to bat first. Opening batter Reeza Hendricks scored 60 off 40 balls and George Linde added 36 off 22 balls.

PAK batters failed miserably as Babar Azam was out for a duck on his return to T20I cricket. Babar, who last played a T20 in December 2024 against South Africa, lasted only two balls and offered a tame catch to Hendricks in the covers inside the power play.

Pakistan had recalled Babar at No. 3 for the series after giving Fakhar Zaman rest to gear up for next month’s ODI series against the Proteas.

Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum after it lost two wickets inside the first six overs. Saim Ayub should have been dismissed without scoring in Nandre Burger’s first over but was dropped by Matthew Breetzke at third before the left-hander top scored with 37 off 28 balls.

Pakistan could have been bowled out more cheaply, but Mohammad Nawaz made 36 off 20 balls and was one of the four batters to reach double figures.

Bosch claimed two more wickets in his return spell to finish with 4-14 with Linde claiming 3-31.

Pakistan Vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Playing XIs

South Africa (Playing 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 (Playing 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.

Pakistan Vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Toss

Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to field

Pakistan Vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Captain Speak

Donovan Ferreira: We wanted to bowl first as well but now we have to bat well and try to restrict them after that. I have a role to bat at No. 6. We are excited to have Quinton de Kock back. It gives us a lot of confidence, not only with the gloves, he gives runs at the top of the order. We have Tony de Zorzi making his debut.

Salman Agha: We are going to bowl first. In Pindi, you never know what to restrict the other team to, we want to bowl as well as possible. We have a few new faces and a few comebacks too so I'm very excited about that. (On Babar and Naseem's return to the T20I side) They both have been match-winners for Pakistan in the past and I'm happy to have them back. We have two all-rounders, two pacers and Abrar as our spinner. Myself and Saim can also roll our arm over.

(with AP inputs)