Babar Azam’s Spectacular 68 Leads Pakistan to T20I Series Win Over South Africa in Lahore

Pakistan clinched the three-match T20I series against South Africa 2–1 after securing a hard-fought four-wicket win in the series decider at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The night belonged to captain Babar Azam, who returned to form with a masterful 68 off 47 deliveries — his first T20I half-century in 18 months.

Batting with characteristic elegance and precision, Babar’s innings came at a crucial time for Pakistan, who were chasing a modest target of 140. He reached his fifty off 36 balls and played the anchor role that guided Pakistan through a nervy middle phase of the innings. His knock, featuring nine boundaries, not only helped his team regain control but also reaffirmed his place as the heartbeat of Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Pakistan’s chase began on a shaky note as opener Saim Ayub fell for a duck, equalling Umar Akmal’s record for most T20I ducks by a Pakistani player. However, a composed 36-run partnership between Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan steadied the innings before Agha Salman joined his skipper for a crucial 76-run stand. Salman’s fluent 33 off 26 balls provided the perfect foil to Babar’s controlled aggression.

Despite a late wobble that saw Pakistan lose a few quick wickets, Faheem Ashraf held his nerve to take the team across the finish line with six balls to spare, closing the innings at 140/6.

Earlier, Pakistan’s bowling attack laid the foundation for victory with a disciplined display. Shaheen Shah Afridi was exceptional with the new ball, claiming 3 wickets for 26 runs. On his T20I debut, young off-spinner Usman Tariq impressed with a calm and confident spell, taking 2 for 26, including key breakthroughs of Reeza Hendricks (34) and Dewald Brevis (21).

Faheem Ashraf also chipped in with two wickets, ensuring South Africa never truly accelerated despite a brief cameo from Donovan Ferreira, who scored 29 off just 14 balls. The Proteas eventually posted 139/9 in their 20 overs, a total that proved insufficient against Pakistan’s revitalized batting order.

With this win, Pakistan not only sealed the series but also regained momentum heading into the upcoming international season. For Babar Azam, this performance marked a symbolic resurgence after a lean period, reaffirming his reputation as one of modern cricket’s most dependable and stylish batsmen.

Pakistan’s blend of youth and experience shone through the contest, signaling positive signs for the team’s T20 future.