LAHORE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam delivered a batting masterclass and a heartfelt message after guiding his side to a series-clinching victory over South Africa in the third T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Saturday night.
The star batter struck a fluent 68 off 47 balls as Pakistan chased down a 140-run target with an over to spare, sealing a 2-1 series triumph against the Proteas.
Babar surpasses Virat Kohli’s record
In his match-winning knock, Babar Azam reached his 40th T20I half-century, surpassing Virat Kohli’s record of 39 fifties — an achievement that highlights his remarkable consistency in the shortest format.
Babar was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. Expressing his gratitude after the win, he shared an emotional message on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Grateful to be back doing what I love. Thankful for those who believed when it was quiet.”
Team effort seals the win
Alongside Babar, Agha Salman contributed a vital 33 off 26 balls, while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Khan ensured Pakistan crossed the finish line after a minor middle-order collapse.
Earlier, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Mirza spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack, restricting South Africa to 139/9 in 20 overs. Their disciplined spells laid the foundation for the successful chase.
Faisalabad set to host ODI series after 17 years
Following the T20I series, attention now shifts to the three-match ODI series, which will be played at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, from November 4 to 8.
The city is set to host an ODI after 17 years, with the last fixture held in April 2008, when Pakistan faced Bangladesh. Both teams arrived in Faisalabad on Sunday and will begin training after a scheduled rest day.
Pakistan and South Africa ODI Squads
Pakistan Squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah
South Africa Squad:
Matthew Breetzke (captain), Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lizaad Williams
ODI Series Schedule
Nov 4: 1st ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Nov 6: 2nd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Nov 8: 3rd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
