Babar, Shaheen star as Pakistan seal seal series 2-1

By our correspondent
LAHORE: Seasoned pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi produced a fiery spell of 3 for 26 while Babar Azam returned to form with a masterful 68 off 47 balls as Pakistan defeated South Africa by four wickets to seal the three-match T20I series 2–1 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a modest 140-run target, Pakistan reached home in 19 overs, losing six wickets along the way. Babar’s elegant knock anchored the innings and proved decisive in a contest that saw both sides battle for dominance till the final overs.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, South Africa managed 139 for 9, courtesy of a disciplined bowling performance from the hosts. Shaheen Afridi struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Quinton de Kock and debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks to put Pakistan firmly on top. Faheem Ashraf (2–28) and debutant off-spinner Usman Tariq (2–26) complemented Shaheen superbly, ensuring the Proteas never built lasting momentum. Reeza Hendricks top-scored with 34 while Corbin Bosch remained unbeaten on 30 and skipper Donovan Ferreira added a brisk 29 off 14 balls. South Africa were reduced to 42 for 4 in the ninth over and later 76 for 6 before Bosch’s late cameo lifted them to 139.
Pakistan’s chase began shakily when Saim Ayub fell for a duck in the second over, caught at mid-on off Bosch. Babar Azam then joined Sahibzada Farhan and the pair added 36 runs for the second wicket before Farhan departed for 19. At 44 for 2, Babar and Agha Salman steadied the ship with a 76-run partnership for the third wicket. Salman contributed a handy 33 off 26 balls before falling to Lizaad Williams. Babar, in sublime touch, continued to stroke boundaries with effortless grace.
He reached his 37th T20I half-century and first in 17 months with three consecutive fours off Ottneil Baartman, a reminder of his elegant mastery. Babar eventually perished for 68, caught by Hendricks off Bosch, leaving Pakistan 15 runs shy of victory. His innings featured nine fours and reaffirmed his status as the world’s leading T20I run-scorer, having recently overtaken India’s Rohit Sharma.
Though Pakistan briefly wobbled with late wickets of Hasan Nawaz (5) and Mohammad Nawaz (0), Usman Khan (6 not out) and Faheem Ashraf (4 not out) calmly sealed the win with six balls to spare. Bosch and Williams finished with two wickets apiece for South Africa while Ferreira and Andile Simelane took one each.
Shaheen Afridi’s early breakthroughs set the tone. His double strike in the first over, bowling De Kock and having Pretorius caught at short fine leg sent shockwaves through the South African camp. Debutant Usman Tariq’s maiden international wicket came when Dewald Brevis (21 off 22) holed out to Babar in the deep. Ferreira provided brief resistance, hammering three sixes and a four off Nawaz in one over before falling to Faheem Ashraf. Hendricks’ steady 34 from 36 balls offered some stability, but wickets continued to tumble regularly.
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control throughout, conceding only 43 runs in the final five overs despite Bosch’s late flourish.
With this victory, Pakistan completed a 2–1 series triumph, having lost the first T20I in Rawalpindi by 55 runs before leveling the series with a nine-wicket win in Lahore.
The focus now shifts to the three-match ODI series beginning November 4 at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, with subsequent fixtures on November 6 and November 8. The teams earlier drew the two-match Test series 1–1, setting up an exciting finish to South Africa’s tour of Pakistan.