Babar Azam, Shaheen Shine as Pakistan Clinch T20 Series Against South Africa in Lahore

Under the floodlights at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan found its spark again. A classic half-century from Babar Azam and a searing new-ball spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi carried them to a 4-wicket win over South Africa, and with it, the series 2–1.

Salman Agha called it right at the toss and chose to bowl. It took just two balls for the decision to pay off. Shaheen steamed in, the crowd on its feet, and Quinton de Kock’s stumps flew in the air. Two balls later, Lhuan-dre Pretorius followed. Gaddafi roared. The Shaheen everyone came to see was back, full rhythm, swing,  and noise.

South Africa never really recovered. Dewald Brevis tried to hit his way out with a brisk 21, but debutant Usman Tariq ended that with a looping off-spinner that turned just enough. The right-armer celebrated with the kind of smile you only see on debut, nerves gone, confidence born.

From there, Pakistan’s bowlers shared the rhythm. Faheem Ashraf struck twice in one over, removing skipper Donovan Ferreira and George Linde. At 76 for 6 by the 12th, the visitors were hanging on. Shaheen returned at the death, cleaned up the tail, and finished with 3 for 26. South Africa limped to 139 for 9, a total that always looked short, even on a tacky surface.

Then came Pakistan’s chase, and a few early jitters. Saim Ayub nicked off early. Sahibzada Farhan flashed and fell not long after. At 44 for 2, the crowd went quiet for a bit. But Babar Azam didn’t.

This was the old-school Babar, calm, timing everything sweetly, and never rushing. He picked gaps, worked singles, and punished width. Every boundary was a message: he was in control. He reached his fifty off 38 balls, lifting the pressure from a tense dressing room.

Corbin Bosch bowled with heart for South Africa, taking 2 for 24 and even removing Babar in the 17th over, a slower one that tempted the drive, only to find long-off. Babar walked off to applause, his 68 off 49 balls a masterclass in pacing a chase. Pakistan were 125 for 4, still needing 15.

There was another twist. A couple of wickets fell in the space of six balls, and South Africa sniffed a chance. But Usman Khan steered the final moments calmly. With 6 balls left, he clipped the winning runs through midwicket.

Shaheen’s early thunder, Faheem’s cutters, Tariq’s tidy debut, and Babar’s anchor, all the pieces fit perfectly. For South Africa, it was another night of missed chances, including good bursts but no finish. Bosch impressed, Williams bowled tightly, but without runs on the board, their fight faded.

As the players hugged near the boundary rope and fireworks cracked above the stands, there was a sense of balance restored. Pakistan had wobbled earlier in the series, but this night, this crowd, this chase, and this energy felt like them again.

Final Summary 

South Africa: 139/9 (20 overs)

Pakistan: 140/6 (19 overs)

Player of the match: Babar Azam

Player of the series: Faheem Ashraf