Pakistan vs South Africa, SA in PAK, 3 T20Is, 2025 Oct 31 Full score card

SIX! SAIM AYUB GETS THE JOB DONE! Tad short, around off. Saim Ayub hangs back and pulls it hard and over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Pakistan win by 9 wickets with nearly seven overs to spare.

Tossed up arm ball, on middle. Babar Azam pushes it back to Linde.

Flatter arm ball, around off. Saim Ayub slaps it to long off for one.

SIX! BOOM! Fullish delivery, around off. Saim Ayub moves across and smokes the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a massive 92m hit.

Flatter and slower through the air, around off. Saim Ayub tries the reverse sweep now but fails to connect.

Tosses it on a length, around off. Saim Ayub shimmies down to clear the ropes but gets the outside edge that rolls toward short third.

Fuller and quicker, on the leg pole. Babar Azam uses his feet and drills this to long on for one.

Tossed up on the middle and leg. Babar Azam eases this to long on for a single.

Darted on the leg. Babar Azam looks to sweep and misses onto the pad. It rolls to the left of the keeper.

A similar ball, fullish, on off. Bunted off the inner half, back to the bowler.

Fuller and quicker, on off. Babar Azam pushes it back to the bowler.

Flatter, around off. Saim Ayub pushes this to wide of long off for one.

Flighted full, on off. Babar Azam pushes it down to long off for one. This run takes Babar Azam to become the highest scorer in the T20Is. Some feat this from the southpaw.

Flatter arm ball, around off. Saim Ayub shuffles across and chops into the off-side.

Tossed up on the middle. Babar Azam gets forward and turns it off the inner half toward square leg for one.

Looped up on the middle and leg. Babar Azam prods and defends.

Flatter and outside off. Saim Ayub cuts this to deep point for a single.

Flatter, just outside off. Babar Azam punches it through the cover point region for one.

Tossed up full, on off. Babar Azam prods and defends.

DRINKS BREAK! Pakistan are cruising in their chase of 111, needing just 19 more runs for a comprehensive victory. Saim Ayub and Babar Azam are looking solid at the crease and seem determined to see their side home. South Africa, meanwhile, will be hoping to break this partnership and spark a late twist in the contest.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Tossed up full, just outside off. Saim Ayub picks it early and lofts it elegantly over long off for a biggie.

Flatter on the leg. Babar Azam tucks it through the backward square leg region for a single.

FIFTY FOR SAIM AYUB! Tossed up on off. Eased down to long off for one. Saim Ayub has been struggling to find his rhythm with the bat lately, and this fifty will do his confidence a world of good.

Fuller and quicker, around off. Saim Ayub drives it nicely toward the deep extra cover region for a couple.

Darted on a length, angled in, and goes past the leg pole. Saim Ayub looks to work it across the line but misses.

Fuller and quicker at the stumps. Pushed back to the bowler.

Fuller than a length and outside off. Saim Ayub drills it to deep extra cover for a single. 21 runs off the over. Pakistan are just 29 runs away from making it 1-1.

SIX! THAT IS A SAIM AYUB SPECIAL! Good-length delivery, angled into the pad. Saim Ayub gets inside the line and whips it over the long leg boundary for a no-look hit. That came from the meat of the blade and went sailing into the stands.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Back of a length, around off. Saim Ayub gets on his toes, rides the bounce, and carves it over the backward point fielder. It rockets off the blade and races to the ropes in a flash.

Skiddy length ball, around off. Saim Ayub chops it to the man at the backward point.

SIX! BANG! That sounded sweet and went all the way! Good length delivery on the middle. Saim Ayub picks it early and smokes this over the wide long-on boundary for a massive hit.

FOUR! Streaky, but Saim Ayub will take it. Fuller than a length and pushed across the batter. Ayub swings hard, gets the outside edge that runs down to the deep third region for a lucky boundary.

Short again, on middle, Saim Ayub punches it to long on for one more.

A bit short and on middle, Babar Azam nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Flighted, full and on middle, Babar Azam blocks it out.

Tossed up, full and on off, Babar Azam guides it towards short third and sets off for the run but is sent back. The fielder throws it at the keeper's end, where QDK takes the bails off in a flash but Babar is home.

Flatter, full and on middle, Babar Azam fends it back to the bowler.

Floated, full and around off, Saim Ayub slices it over extra covers for a single.

On a length and on middle, Babar Azam clips it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in some style! Corbin Bosch goes much fuller and around off, Babar Azam leans on and plays a textbook cover drive for a boundary. The balance, the head position, the footwork, absolutely perfect. The crowd loves it!

A huge roar from the crowd as Babar Azam walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! LBW! Corbin Bosch strikes! He goes full and straight, attacking the stumps, nips back in a bit as well. Sahibzada Farhan looks to work it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. There is a big appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger with no hesitation. Farhan does not even bother to take the review and walks back for 28 off 23. Pakistan are 54/!

DROPPED! One of those nights for South Africa! Corbin Bosch bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes pace off. Saim Ayub plays the pull with one leg in the air but mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket. Dewald Brevis is slow to get off the blocks, dives forward, and gets both hands on it just above the ground but spills it out. A single taken.

Goes fuller and on off, Saim Ayub watches it through and blocks it out.

FOUR! Streaky! Short of a length and around off, angling away, Saim Ayub slashes hard it but gets an outside edge that races to the third man fence for a boundary. 50 up for Pakistan!

SIX! Third one for Sahibzada Farhan! Pitched up and on off, Farhan once again gets his front foot out of the way and dispatches it ease over the long off fence for half a dozen more. Pakistan are 49 for no loss at the end of the Powerplay!

Touch fuller and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan backs away to go over covers but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.

Tip and run! Back of a length and on off, Saim Ayub pats it in front of extra covers for a single.

On a length and on off, Saim Ayub steers it towards point.

FOUR! Powered away! Goes a bit fuller and around off, Saim Ayub makes a bit of toom, gets under it and thumps it past the bowler and to the long off fence for a boundary.

Almost dragged on! Short of a length and around off, Saim Ayub looks to cut it away but gets an inside edge just past the stumps and wide of short fine. The fielder dives to his left to get some hand on it, which slows down the momentum of the ball. He gets up and chases after and stops it again. Two more added to the total.

Double change. Ottneil Baartman comes into the attack now.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan swivels and pulls it over mid-wicket. Tony de Zorzi from deep square leg runs a long way to his left to cut it out. Two taken. Pakistan need 75 runs in 90 balls now!

Touch fuller and around off, Sahibzada Farhan pushes it towards cover. Four dots in a row now!

Short of a length and on off, Sahibzada Farhan punches it to extra covers.

So close! Back of a length and around middle, jags back in sharply with extra bounce. Sahibzada Farhan tries to cut it away but instead gets cut in half as the ball just goes over the stumps.

Pitched up and on off, Sahibzada Farhan drives it to mid off.

SIX! BOOM! Welcome to the game, Corbin Bosch! Fuller in length and on middle, in the slot as well. Sahibzada Farhan clears his front leg out and smokes it over the long on fence for a biggie.

First change. Corbin Bosch replaces Nandre Burger.

Slower once again, full and on leg, Sahibzada Farhan clips it towards mid-wicket for one.

Short of a length, angling into the body of the batter. Sahibzada Farhan looks to pull it but gets cramped up and it goes off the inner half of the bat towards short fine.

SIX! BANG! Superb shot! Another off-cutter, full and on middle. Sahibzada Farhan jumps out of his crease, crouches low, and extends his arms to reach out for it before tonking it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Takes pace off, full and on middle, Saim Ayub knocks it towards mid on for a run.

Back of a length and on off, Saim Ayub uses his feet but only to stab it towards short covers.

Fuller one and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan eases it to long on for a single.

On a length and on leg, Saim Ayub nudges it in front of mid-wicket and wants the run but is sent back.

WIDE! He will have to reload that one. Bangs this into the pitch but down the leg side, Saim Ayub lets it go. Wided.

Good length and just around off, keeps a bit low, Saim Ayub tries to cut it away but misses.

Hard-length delivery, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan heaves it away towards deep square leg for a run.

Uppish but safe! Back of a length and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan plays the short-arm jab but checks his shot a bit. It goes in the air but wide of mid on. Corbin Bosch chases after it and sldies to push it back inside. Two taken.

Fuller one and on middle, angling in, Saim Ayub tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Short of a length and just outside off, Saim Ayub gets the chance to free his arms and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary.

Good length and on off, slower again, Saim Ayub steers it towards cover-point for one.

Pitched up but down the leg side again, Saim Ayub fails to glance it away. No signal from the umpire. It might have just brushed his pads on the way to the keeper.

A slower one, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan heaves it off the inside half of the bat wide of mid-wicket for a run.

Short of a length and on off, Sahibzada Farhan stays back and punches it to extra covers.

Hard length and on leg, Saim Ayub nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

WIDE! Back of a length and around leg Saim Ayub gets inside the line to hook it away but misses. Called a wide.

On a length and on off, Sahibzada Farhan pats it towards mid off for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to bowl from the other end.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Nandre Burger errs in line and serves this full, down the leg side. Saim Ayub just has to get some on that one and he just tickles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Pitched up and around off, Sahibzada Farhan slices it away towards deep point for a single. Pakistan are underway in the chase!

Swing and a miss! Back of a length and on off, angling away again, Sahibzada Farhan has a wild siwng across the line but fails to connect. He just needs to calm down a bit.

A bit of a mix-up but no harm done! In the blockhole, outside off, Sahibzada Farhan jams it out towards extra covers and sets off for the run. However, he is sent back when he is already halfway through. The fielder misses his shy at the batter's end as Farhan puts on a dive as well.

BEATEN! Goes a bit fuller and around off, angling it away from the batter. Sahibzada Farhan goes chasing after it but the ball zips past the outside edge. QDK dives to his right to grab it.

Nandre Burger starts with a good-length delivery, on middle, jags back in a bit, Sahibzada Farhan tucks it away towards mid-wicket.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Unlucky way to get out for Ottneil Baartman and the Proteas are dismissed for 110. Slower, short of a good length delivery, angled into the middle. Baartman looks to pull but misses. The ball comes off the thigh pad, hits the elbow, and rolls onto the stumps.

Slower ball on a length, skids through outside off. Ottneil Baartman throws his bat but fails to connect.

Flatter and quicker leg break, just outside off. Ndigi looks to hit it over the bowler but misses. An appeal for stumping from Usman Khan is turned down. South Africa are 110/9 with an over to go.

SIX! BOOM! Floated full, just outside off. Ndigi sits low and slogs it over the wide long on boundary for a much-needed hit. South Africa needs more of these now.

Shortish leg break, outside off. Cut away to deep cover for one.

Tossed up delivery on the length outside off. Ngidi pushes this towards point and gets one.

Lungi Ngidi is the last batter for South Africa.

OUT! CASTLED! Abrar Ahmed gets among the wickets. Tosses it on a length, slower through the air, and spins late to go past the outside edge of Burger and rattles the stumps. Burger came forward to play across the line but was beaten and lost his wicket. Nine down now for the Proteas.

Tossed up full, on off. Nandre Burger heaves it toward the deep square leg region, and scampers back for the second run.

Slower, short of a good length, on off. Baartman stays back and punches it toward mid off.

Full and at the stumps. Burger flicks it toward the wide long on region for a single. 100 comes for South Africa.

On a hard length, on off. Nandre Burger blocks into the off-side of the pitch.

Slower and shorter, around off. Nandre Burger hangs back and pats it toward backward point.

Slower length ball on off. Ottneil Baartman tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Slower and shorter on off. Ottneil Baartman is early into the pull and misses onto the thigh pad.

Shortish leg break, around off. Baartman cuts this toward deep cover for a single.

Flatter and quicker leg break, on the middle and leg. Burger knocks it down to long on for one.

Flatter googly, on the middle and leg. Baartman works it past mid-wicket and takes one.

Looped up full, outside off. Nandre Burger lifts it on the bounce to long off for one.

Flatter and quicker on the leg pole. Nandre Burger looks to flick but misses onto the pad.

Floated full, on off. Pushed back to the bowler.

Length ball, on off. Burger pushes this to long-on for one.

Slower, short of a good length, on the middle and leg. Ottneil Baartman tucks it off the glove, gets it high on the bat, and works it toward square leg for one.

FOUR! LUCKY! Back of a length, angled into the middle. Ottneil Baartman looks to tuck it across the line, gets rushed for pace, and the inside edge rolls past the left of the keeper, and runs down to fine leg for a streaky boundary.

Mirza bowls a yorker length delivery, just outside off. Ottneil Baartman swings and misses.

Full-length delivery outside off. Driven toward wide of mid-off for a single.

Full and angling at the stumps. Ottneil Baartman drives it toward mid off and calls for a quick single. Salman Agha has a shy at the stumps but misses and Baartman gets home safely.

Tossed up on a length, turning into off. Burger knocks it back at Abrar Ahmed.

Flatter leg break, around off. Baartman slaps this to long off for one.

Tossed up leg break, just outside off. Ottneil Baartman swings and misses.

Leg break delivery on the length outside off. Baartman pushes this towards cover but finds a fielder.

Quicker length ball outside off. Baartman chops this onto the boots.

IN THE AIR BUT FALLS SAFE! Leg break delivery on the length outside off. Baartman chips this towards short extra cover. Ahmed, in his follow-through, gets a hand to it but cannot hold on.

Back of a length, just outside off. Ottneil Baartman looks to punch off the back foot, gets the inside edge that rolls to the left of the keeper. A misfield from Usman Khan allows them to sneak a run.

Good, hard-length delivery, angling into the middle and leg stump line. Ottneil Baartman stays back and looks to work it across the line. He misses and gets struck in front. Appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. Baartman takes the review. The Ball Tracking shows it as going over the stumps. Baartman stays on. The decision is overturned to NOT OUT.

WIDE! Back of a length, angling down the leg. Ottneil Baartman tucks and misses. Wide signaled.

Ottneil Baartman comes in at number 10.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Naseem Shah gets the last recognized batter! Good-length delivery in the channel, around off. Bosch looks to drive on the up but gets a faint outside edge that is taken with ease by Usman Khan, the keeper behind the stumps. South Africa lose their eighth and are in danger of not playing out their overs.

Slower ball on a fullish length, on the pad. Burger glances it to fine leg for one.

Slower length ball on off. Bosch gets on the front foot and flicks this toward long on for one.

FOUR! BANG! Slower and shorter on off. Corbin Bosch picks it early and swats the pull to deep mid-wicket for a powerful boundary. Makes full use of the free hit.

NO BALL! Skiddy length ball, around off. Bosch knocks this toward mid off. Naseem Shah has overstepped. No Ball signaled. Free Hit coming up.

Flatter and quicker, around off. Bosch punches this to long off for a single.

Floated full, around off. Burger pushes it down to long on for a single.

Flighted full, on off. Burger prods and turns it to short mid-wicket.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle. Bosch hangs back and knocks it down to long on for a single.

Tossed up full, at the sticks. Bosch defends forward.

Flatter and around off. Bosch looks to cut and misses.

Short of a length, rising delivery, on off. Burger rides the bounce and drops into the off-side.

Nandre Burger comes in at number 9.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Faheem Ashraf picks up his third, and South Africa slides further. Short of a good length, around off. Linde stays back and looks to pull, but gets the inside edge and rattles the stumps. South Africa are in massive trouble here. Seven down now.

Back of a length, just outside off. Bosch looks to punch from the crease, gets the inside edge toward short fine leg for a streaky run.

Back of a length, on the hip. Bosch tucks this through backward square leg region and scampers for the double.

Faheem Ashraf goes full, outside off. Corbin Bosch gently drives it to the short cover fielder.

Fuller than a length, around off. Linde looks to drive, gets the outside edge that rolls down to deep third for a single.

Tossed up on the middle and leg. Linde works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Tossed up on off. Linde prods and pushes this to short cover.

Flatter, just outside off. Bosch hangs back and punches this to long off for a single.

On a length, around off. George Linde steers it through the short third region for a single.

Flatter, just outside off. Linde knocks it to short cover.

Tossed up full, on off. George Linde prods and defends it down the pitch.

DRINKS! Pakistan have dominated proceedings in the first ten overs here in Lahore. The bowlers have done an incredible job of restricting South Africa to 66/6. They will be hoping to do more of the same and take the remaining wickets quickly to wrap things up. South Africa needs a partnership here, or else they are in danger of getting bowled out in double-digits here. A lot will depend on this pair as Corbin Bosch joins George Linde out in the middle now.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Faheem Ashraf once again comes back well after getting hit for a boundary. He bowls the off-cutter, hard length and just around off. Donovan Ferreira stays back to punch it away but only manages to get an inside edge back onto the stumps. He is disappointed but has to walk back for a run-a-ball 15. South Africa are 66/6!

FOUR! Put away nicely! Faheem Ashraf bangs this into the pitch, sits up for the batter, begging to be put away. Donovan Ferreira gets on top of the bounce and pulls it with disdain between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Slower one, back of a length and on off, Donovan Ferreira only manages to pat it down towards mid off.

Touch fuller and around off, Donovan Ferreira miscues his drive off the toe-end down the pitch. Ashraf gets a hand on it on the follow-through to make a half-stop.

On a length and on off, Donovan Ferreira pushes it towards covers.

FOUR! Powered away! Short of a length and well outside off. Donovan Ferreira accepts the width on offer and absolutely smashes it through point. There is a fielder in the deep but he has no chance of stopping it as this goes like a tracer bullet.

Fires one full and on leg, Donovan Ferreira forces it towards long on for one more.

Looped up, full and on off, George Linde eases it to long off for another run.

Fires one full and on leg, Donovan Ferreira drills it to long off for one.

Flighted, full and on middle, George Linde clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, George Linde gets forward and blocks it out.

Floated, full and on middle, Donovan Ferreira drives it to long on for a single.

Change of ends for Mohammad Nawaz

Slows it up a bit, shortish and on middle, George Linde pats it back to the bowler.

Quicker, short and on middle, George Linde tucks it to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Back of a length and just outside off, George Linde frees his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary. 50 up for South Africa!

George Linde comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! Faheem Ashraf has the last laugh here! That will be the end of an entertaining knock of 25 off 16 from Dewald Brevis. This is banged into the surface, a bit slower, on middle and leg. Dewald Brevis once again looks to pull it away but the ball just gets big on him this time as he loses his shape while playing the shot. It takes the top edge and goes up in the air towards extra covers, where Mohammad Nawaz takes a dolly. South Africa lose half thier side now!

SIX! Wow..that is outta here! Faheem Ashraf lands this short of a length and on middle. Dewald Brevis picks the bones out of it and whacks it powerfully over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. He does not even bother looking at it as it was six the moment it hit his bat.

On a length and on off, Donovan Ferreira guides it through point for a single.

Another change. Just one over for Mohammad Nawaz. Faheem Ashraf has been introduced into the attack now.

Another short ball, on middle, Dewald Brevis makes room and pulls it wide of long on. Babar Azam runs to his right and makes tumbling stop. Two taken.

SIX! BOOM! Massive hit! Tossed up, full and on middle and leg. Dewald Brevis gets his front leg out of the way, crouches low and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Drags his length back, on middle, Donovan Ferreira punches it to long on for another run.

Floated, full and on off, Dewald Brevis pushes it through cover-point for a run.

Flatter, short and on off, Dewald Brevis stays back and pats it towards short covers.

Tossed up, full and on off, Donovan Ferreira drives it to long off for a single.

Double change? Yes, spin from both ends now as Abrar Ahmed comes into the attack.

SIX! BANG! That is bread and butter for Dewald Brevis! Mohammad Nawaz bowls a half-tracker, on middle. Brevis rocks back quickly and swats it down the ground over the long on fence for the first biggie of the game. South Africa are 31/4 at the end of the Powerplay!

Arm ball, full and on leg, angling in, Dewald Brevis knocks it back to the bowler.

Quicker, full and on the pads, Donovan Ferreira clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Flatter, shortish and on leg, Dewald Brevis backs away to cut it away but gets it from the toe-end towards mid-wicket for a single.

Goes short and around off, Dewald Brevis punches it to extra covers.

Floated, full and on off, Dewald Brevis prods forward and taps it to short covers.

Time for the first bowling change. We will see some spin now as Mohammad Nawaz replaces Naseem Shah. A slip in place as well.

Hits the length hard, on off, Donovan Ferreira pats it towards extra covers. Just one run and a wicket from the over.

Short of a length and just outside off, Donovan Ferreira tries to cut it away but misses.

Donovan Ferreira, the skipper of South Africa walks out to bat now with his side in a spot of bother.

OUT! TIMBER! Salman Mirza has three now! He makes amends for his dropped catch, and this is excellent captaincy from Salman Agha as well to give him the third over. Mirza from 'over the wicket serves a deceptive off-cutter. It lands on the leg stump line and then turns away sharply. Matthew Breetzke gets stuck in his crease and tries to play at it but gets squared up as the ball goes past the outside edge and hits the top of off. Pakistan are well on top here as South Africa lose their fourth wicket.

Hits the length hard and around off, Dewald Brevis tries to cut it away but this is too close to his body. He chops it down to the off side and scampers across for a single.

Touch fuller on middle, holds up in the surface a bit, Dewald Brevis knocks it a bit uppishly but safely towards mid off.

Back of a length and on middle, angling away a bit, Dewald Brevis pats it towards short covers.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Would you believe it? It is Salman Mirza once again. Good-length delivery and around off, Matthew Breetzke tries to punch it away but gets another outside edge. It goes along the ground towards short third this time, where MIrza gets down but lets it through his legs for a boundary.

Short of a length and on off, Dewald Brevis dabs it through point for one.

On a length and on off, Matthew Breetzke pushes it through covers for a run.

Back of a length and on off, Matthew Breetzke punches it to extra covers.

DROPPED! That should have been the 4th wicket for Pakistan! Naseem Shah goes full again and on off, shaping it away. Matthew Breetzke looks to drive it away, but gets a thick outside edge straight towards short third. Salman Mirza gets on one knee and tries to grab it low, but shells it. Naseem will not be a happy man. Breetzke gets a life and will want to make the most of it now.

Fuller one and around off, Dewald Brevis drills it through cover-point for a single.

Matthew Breetzke is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Salman Mirza gets his second, and Pakistan can do absolutely no wrong in the Powerplay here. Mirza bangs this one into the pitch, but takes all the pace off, on middle. Tony de Zorzi takes a couple of steps forward, not expecting the short ball. He reacts to the delivery and tries to pull it away, but the ball gets big on him. It takes the top edge and flies towards short fine, where Abdul Samad runs forward and takes a good catch around the knee height. Tony de Zorzi walks back for 7 off 10, and South Africa are 15/3!

Back of a length and around leg, Tony de Zorzi nudges it to short fine.

Beaten! Bangs this into he pitch, on off, takes pace off and this keeps a bit low too. Tony de Zorzi looks to pull it away but the ball goes under his bat to the keeper.

Pulls his length back a bit, on middle and off, Tony de Zorzi drags it towards mid-wicket.

Touch fuller and on middle, Tony de Zorzi clips it away through mid-wicket for a brace.

Hits the length hard, on middle, jags back in and skids through the surface. Tony de Zorzi looks to work it away but gets hurried and misses to get high on the thigh pad.

WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Tony de Zorzi fails to glance it away. Wided.

Dewald Brevis comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! Naseem Shah strikes now! He bowls a well-disguised off-cutter, full and just outside off. Quinton de Kock goes after it and looks to loft it over covers but is a bit early into his shot and fails to get the power or elevation on it. The ball flies in the air towards mid off, where Salman Agha moves a bit to his right and pouches it safely with a reverse cup. de Kock departs for 7 off 6, and both the Proteas openers are back in the hut now.

Goes fuller but on the pads, Tony de Zorzi wristily flicks it away past the diving mid-wicket fielder. However, it does not have enough legs as Salman Mirza from mid on chases after to do the clean up job. Three taken.

Good length and around off, Quinton de Kock wait for it before steering it towads deep point for another run.

On a length and on off, angling away, Tony de Zorzi guides it through backward point for a run.

Back of a length and on off, Quinton de Kock dabs it down towards point for a single.

FOUR! Fortuitous! Naseem Shah begins with a hard-length delivery, on off, holding its line. Quinton de Kock stays back and tries to push it away from his body but gets an inside edge jsut past the stumps as the ball races to the fine leg fence for the first boundary of the game.

Naseem Shah to share the attack.

Much fuller and on off, Tony de Zorzi drills it away towards mid on. 2 runs and a wicket from the first over then. Superb start from Mirza!

Back of a length and around leg, Quinton de Kock nudges it towards square leg for a run. He gets off the mark as well now.

Salman Mirza bowls a good yorker now, on middle, Quinton de Kock gets his bat down in time to dig it out on the pitch.

South Africa are underway! Full again and on middle, angles in, Tony de Zorzi knocks it towards mid on for a quick single and gets off the mark.

Tony de Zorzi walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! A dream dismissal for any left-arm seamer in the world! Salman Mirza has given the perfect start to Pakistan here. Fuller in length and on middle, swings in a bit. Reeza Hendricks looks to play it with a straight bat, but does not take into account the inward movement. It brushes the inside edge of the bat and crashes onto the leg stump. Mirza is pumped, and so is the crowd. Hendricks walks back for a 2-baller, and South Africa are 0/1!

Right on the money! Salman Mirza starts with a fuller one, on off, angling across the batter, Reeza Hendricks pushes it towards covers.

We are all set to begin now! The fans have come in numbers here in Lahore to support the home side. Pakistan players are already out in the middle in their respective field positions. Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock are the two openers for South Africa. Salman Mirza has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

PITCH REPORT - Vernon Phillander is pitchside alongside Urooj Mumtaz. He says that there is a beautiful covering of grass, and the ball will come onto the bat nicely here. Adds that the boundaries are not that big and the batters will enjoy it. Mentions that South Africa adjusted to the conditions quickly in the first game, and it is about hitting back of a length and top of off stump in sub-continent wickets. Says that they also used the width of the crease well in the first game.

Donovan Ferreira, the captain of South Africa, says that they wanted to bat first anyway. Adds that the first game was really good, but that is now in the past, and they want to focus on this one, as this is a new venue and different conditions. Mentions that there is always room for improvement, the bowlers did extremely well, but they need partnerships while batting first and avoid losing wickets in clusters. Informs that they have also made one change as Ottneil Baartman replaces Lizaad Williams.

Salman Agha, the skipper of Pakistan, says that the wicket looks a bit slow but expects dew to come in later on to make it a bit better. Adds that they want to brush aside the first game and make a fresh start in this game. Informs that they have made one change as Salman Mirza comes in for Shaheen Afridi to manage his workload.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (WK), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (C), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman (In place of Lizaad Williams), Lungi Ngidi.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (C), Usman Khan (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Salman Mirza (In place of Shaheen Afridi).

TOSS - Pakistan have won the toss and elected to BOWL first.

Now, all eyes turn to Lahore once again. Can Pakistan regroup and level the series, or will South Africa extend their dominance to claim an unassailable 2–0 lead? Toss and team news coming up shortly. Stay tuned.

Pakistan, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm. Their bowlers leaked runs early, though Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz managed to stand out with tidy spells. In the chase, Ayub, Nawaz, and Sahibzada Farhan got starts but couldn’t convert, and the hosts were bowled out for 139 in the 19th over.

In the first T20I, South Africa set the tone with the bat, posting an impressive 194 thanks to solid contributions from Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, and George Linde. With the ball Corbin Bosch, George Linde, and Lizaad Williams shared the wickets to hand the Proteas a commanding 55-run victory.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second T20I in the three-match series between Pakistan and South Africa from the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After taking a 1–0 lead with a convincing win in the opener, South Africa will be eager to seal the series tonight. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to bounce back and keep the contest alive heading into the final game.

... MATCH DAY ...

From Rawalpindi, the action now moves to Lahore for the second T20I of the three-match series between Pakistan and South Africa. The visitors, despite not being at full strength, have landed the first blow and will be keen to seal the series, while the hosts will look to bounce back at the Gadaffi Stadium and force a decider. In the series opener, after being asked to bat first, contributions from the top order and a late flourish from George Linde propelled the Proteas to 194. In reply, Pakistan never really found momentum as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, eventually folding for 139. Reeza Hendricks set the tone at the top, while Quinton de Kock, just two games into his international return, will be eager to make a bigger impact. There was a brief stumble in the middle overs with Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, and captain Donovan Ferreira falling cheaply, and the trio will want to make amends. With the ball, South Africa were clinical. Corbin Bosch starred with a four-wicket haul, while George Linde and Lizaad Williams provided strong support in challenging conditions. As for Pakistan, they did well to finish strongly with the ball and limit the damage, but their batting performance left much to be desired. The much-anticipated return of Babar Azam to the T20I setup was short-lived, as he departed for a two-ball duck. Both openers, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, got starts but couldn’t convert them into anything substantial, something Pakistan will hope changes in Lahore. The middle order, featuring Usman Khan, Hasan Nawaz, and skipper Salman Agha, will also need to step up. Mohammad Nawaz was the lone bright spot for the hosts, contributing with both bat and ball, and he will once again be key to their chances. Pakistan will look to their pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to strike early with the new ball, while Abrar Ahmed is expected to shoulder responsibility through the middle overs. This is only the second T20I series that South Africa are playing in Pakistan, with the previous one going the way of the hosts. It would be quite a feat for this second-string Proteas side to clinch a historic series win on Pakistani soil. Can they pull it off in Lahore, or will Pakistan hit back to keep the series alive? We shall find out.