The Rawalpindi crowd had gathered with great anticipation, eagerly awaiting a triumphant return for Babar Azam to T20I cricket. However, they were instead treated to a stunning upset as an injury-riddled South Africa, despite missing seven key players, clinched a commanding 55-run victory in the first Twenty20 international. It was a performance that truly left the home side and their supporters in disbelief.
Pakistan’s chase of 195 runs never truly gathered momentum, ultimately crumbling to just 139 in 18.1 overs. This dramatic collapse was orchestrated by a masterclass in disciplined bowling from South Africa’s Corbin Bosch, who claimed an impressive 4 wickets for just 14 runs, and George Linde, who added 3 wickets for 31 runs. This spirited and collective effort handed the Proteas a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the remaining encounters scheduled for Lahore.
The undeniable hero of the night for South Africa was Reeza Hendricks. He anchored their innings with a fluent 60 off 40 balls, a knock adorned with five boundaries and a six. Adding crucial firepower, debutant Tony de Zorzi blasted a brisk 33 off just 16 balls. George Linde then provided significant late-innings momentum with 36 off 22 deliveries, propelling the Proteas to a formidable total of 194/9, built on an explosive powerplay start that saw 74 runs scored.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz (3-26) offered a brief moment of hope by briefly halting the run flow, but it wasn’t enough to contain the determined Proteas. The hosts’ top order, unfortunately, faltered once again under pressure. All eyes were on Babar Azam’s much-anticipated T20I comeback after a 10-month absence, but his return was short-lived as he fell for a second-ball duck, offering a simple catch to Hendricks. The earlier celebratory atmosphere in Rawalpindi quickly transformed into stunned silence.
Only Saim Ayub, with a fighting 37 off 28 balls, and Mohammad Nawaz, contributing 36 off 20, offered any notable resistance for Pakistan. However, Bosch’s raw pace and Linde’s cunning variations ensured Pakistan never came close to the target.
After the match, stand-in skipper Donovan Ferreira, who led the team in the absence of the injured David Miller, praised his team’s composure. He confidently remarked, “It was a collective effort — Reeza held it together, George exploded, and Bosch was exceptional with his energy and accuracy.”
A disappointed Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha, lamented his team’s recurring batting struggles. “We’re losing wickets too quickly and need partnerships,” he admitted candidly. This defeat prolongs Pakistan’s recent challenges in the shortest format and places considerable pressure on Babar Azam to inspire a swift turnaround as the series moves to Lahore.