LAHORE: A stunning unbeaten half-century from Saim Ayub and a disciplined bowling performance helped Pakistan outclass South Africa by nine wickets in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, levelling the three-match series 1-1.
Chasing a modest 111-run target, Pakistan cruised home in just 13.1 overs, losing only one wicket in the process.
Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan gave the hosts a blazing start, adding 54 runs for the first wicket. Farhan struck three sixes in his 23-ball 28 before falling lbw to Corbin Bosch in the seventh over.
From there, Ayub took charge, unleashing a flurry of boundaries alongside Babar Azam, who played the anchor role with an unbeaten 11 off 18 balls. The duo stitched together an unbroken 64-run partnership to seal Pakistan’s emphatic win.
Ayub was the undisputed star of the show, smashing six fours and five sixes in his 71 off 38 deliveries*, showcasing his full range of strokes and reaffirming his reputation as one of Pakistan’s most promising young talents.
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers set up the victory by bundling out South Africa for just 110 in 19.2 overs.
Young pacer Salman Mirza struck in the very first over, removing Reeza Hendricks for a duck, while Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf maintained relentless pressure. South Africa slipped to 23/4 within five overs and never recovered.
Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/23, while Salman Mirza impressed with 3/14. Naseem chipped in with 2/21, and Abrar Ahmed added one wicket.
For the visitors, Dewald Brevis top-scored with 25 off 16 balls, featuring three sixes, as South Africa’s batting lineup crumbled under Pakistan’s pace attack.
With the series now tied at 1-1, the two sides will face off in the deciding third T20I on Sunday, promising another thrilling contest.
