Rawalpindi, October 29, 2025 – An injury-hit, under-strength South Africa side delivered a stunning 55-run thrashing to a lacklustre Pakistan in the first Twenty20 International in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, taking a commanding 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The defeat was particularly painful for the home side, whose highly anticipated T20I comeback for star batter Babar Azam ended in a second-ball duck.
Put in to bat, the visiting Proteas, missing seven frontline players, posted a formidable total of 194/9 in their 20 overs, anchored by a masterful half-century from opener Reeza Hendricks (60 off 40 balls).
🏏 Proteas Batting Brilliance
South Africa rocketed out of the blocks, piling on 74 runs in the powerplay. Hendricks set the tone, building crucial partnerships, first with Quinton de Kock (23 off 13) and then with debutant Tony de Zorzi (33 off 16). After a middle-order wobble, Player of the Match George Linde provided the late fireworks with a rapid 36 off 22 balls, propelling the visitors to a total that proved well beyond Pakistan’s reach.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, slowing the scoring rate momentarily with a haul of 3/26.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Chase Crumbles Under Pressure
Chasing 195, Pakistan’s innings never found momentum, ultimately folding for just 139 in 18.1 overs. The Rawalpindi crowd was silenced early when Babar Azam, making his first T20I appearance in ten months, was dismissed for a two-ball duck, miscuing a delivery from fast-bowler Corbin Bosch straight to Reeza Hendricks.
Apart from a resilient effort from opener Saim Ayub (37 off 28) and the all-round contribution of Mohammad Nawaz (36 off 20), the Pakistani batting order was a picture of inconsistency and indecision.
The relatively unknown South African bowling attack proved a class apart, executing their plans with exceptional discipline. Pacer Corbin Bosch was sensational, claiming 4 wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs, while the spin of George Linde completed a brilliant all-round performance with 3/31.
🗣️ Skipper’s Reactions
South African captain Donovan Ferreira praised his team’s collective strength: “It was a fantastic team effort—Reeza held it together, George exploded at the end, and Bosch was exceptional with his energy and accuracy. I’m incredibly proud of this collective effort.”
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha lamented the familiar batting collapse. “We didn’t start well with the ball, and in the chase, we’re losing wickets too quickly. We desperately need partnerships and a quick turnaround before the next game,” he admitted.
The victory gives the Proteas an unexpected lead in the series, which now shifts to Lahore for the remaining two matches on Friday and Saturday. Pakistan’s star-studded lineup faces intense pressure to redeem themselves and level the series.
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