south africa vs pakistan

South Africa vs Pakistan T20I Series: What’s Going Wrong for Pakistan?

The South Africa vs Pakistan T20I series has become a talking point for cricket fans worldwide, especially after Pakistan’s shaky start in the first two matches. With South Africa securing back-to-back wins, questions are being raised about Pakistan’s strategy, player selection, and middle-order stability. For Canadian cricket enthusiasts following the action, this series isn’t just about rankings—it’s a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of international T20 cricket.

In the first T20I, South Africa handed Pakistan a 7-wicket defeat, exposing critical weaknesses in Pakistan’s batting and fielding. The second T20I saw Pakistan opting to bowl first and leaving out star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, a decision that sparked debate. Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s return to the T20I format ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a duck. These developments have turned the spotlight on Pakistan’s team management and their readiness for high-pressure tournaments.

This article dives into the key events, recent updates, historical context, and what lies ahead for both teams—especially for Pakistan, which is under pressure to turn things around.

Recent Updates: What Happened in the First Two T20Is?

First T20I: Middle-Order Collapse Seals Pakistan’s Fate

In the opening match, Pakistan batted first and struggled to build partnerships. Despite a promising start, the middle order collapsed, with Salman Agha (then vice-captain) openly blaming the lack of partnerships and middle-order instability for the loss.

“We failed to rotate strike and build momentum,” Salman Agha said in a post-match interview, as reported by Bold News. “When you lose wickets in clusters, it’s hard to recover in T20 cricket.”

Pakistan posted 182/6 in 20 overs, a total that looked competitive on paper. However, South Africa chased it down with 7 wickets and 4 balls to spare, thanks to a composed 80 by Heinrich Klaasen and aggressive contributions from David Miller and Reeza Hendricks*.

The match highlighted Pakistan’s inability to capitalize on powerplay starts and their over-reliance on top-order batters. Fielding lapses—including dropped catches—further compounded the issues.

Second T20I: Shaheen Dropped, Babar Returns with a Duck

In a surprising move, Pakistan bowled first and left out Shaheen Shah Afridi, their premier fast bowler, opting for a pace attack led by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. The decision, reported by ESPNcricinfo, raised eyebrows, especially since Shaheen has been a consistent performer in T20 cricket.

Pakistan managed to restrict South Africa to 177/8, a slightly below-par score. However, their batting woes continued. Babar Azam, returning to the T20I setup after a brief hiatus, was dismissed for a golden duck by Anrich Nortje, as confirmed by Toronto Star.

“Babar’s dismissal in the first over shifted the momentum completely,” said a commentator during the live broadcast.

Pakistan never recovered, finishing at 165/9, losing by 12 runs. The middle order—Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, and Salman Agha—failed to accelerate, with only Saim Ayub showing brief promise with a 25-ball 35.

Contextual Background: Why This Series Matters

Pakistan’s T20I Struggles: A Pattern of Inconsistency

Pakistan has long been known for its unpredictable T20 performances. While they’ve won major tournaments (e.g., 2009 T20 World Cup, 2022 Asia Cup), they’ve also suffered shocking defeats due to middle-order collapses, poor fielding, and inconsistent bowling.

This series echoes past struggles. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan lost to India and Zimbabwe in the group stage due to similar issues—lack of partnerships and over-reliance on Babar and Rizwan.

The current team is in transition. With Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik retired, and Sarfaraz Ahmed not in the squad, Pakistan is relying on a mix of youth and experience. But the middle order—a critical component in T20s—remains untested under pressure.

South Africa’s Resurgence in T20 Cricket

South Africa, on the other hand, is building momentum ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. After a disappointing 2024 World Cup (where they lost in the final to India), the Proteas are focusing on aggressive batting, depth in bowling, and fielding standards.

Players like Klaasen, Miller, and Nortje have become key pillars. Their ability to chase down totals and defend modest scores shows maturity. The South Africa vs Pakistan series is part of their long-term strategy to test bench strength and fine-tune combinations.

Cultural and Fan Dynamics in Canada

For Canadian cricket fans, this series is more than just a bilateral contest. Canada has a large South Asian diaspora, including Pakistani and South African communities in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Matches like these draw massive viewership on Willow TV and ESPN+, with fan clubs organizing watch parties.

Cricket’s popularity in Canada is growing, thanks to ICC’s push for global expansion and T20 leagues like GT20 Canada. The South Africa vs Pakistan rivalry adds excitement, especially with players like Babar Azam and David Miller having fan followings in the region.

Immediate Effects: What’s the Fallout?

1. Pakistan’s Leadership Under Scrutiny

The decision to drop Shaheen Shah Afridi has sparked debate. While the team management cited “rotation” and “workload management,” critics argue that in a must-win series, resting a key bowler is a gamble.

“You don’t drop your best bowler in a home series,” said former Pakistani cricketer Waqar Younis in a recent interview (unverified source).

The lack of clarity in selection could affect team morale, especially with the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on the horizon.

2. Babar Azam’s T20I Future in Question

Babar’s golden duck has reignited the Babar vs Rizwan debate. While both are world-class ODI players, their T20 strike rates (Babar: 128.5, Rizwan: 126.8) are below the modern standard (135+).

Fans and analysts are questioning whether Pakistan should experiment with new openers like Saim Ayub or Azam Khan to boost scoring rates.

3. South Africa’s Rising Confidence

With two wins, South Africa has gained psychological momentum. The series is now about consolidation rather than experimentation. Players like Gerald Coetzee and Aiden Markram are gaining valuable experience in subcontinental conditions.

For South Africa, this series is a stepping stone for the 2025 T20 World Cup qualifiers and beyond.

4. Impact on ICC T20 Rankings

The results could affect the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. Pakistan, currently ranked 6th, risks dropping further if they lose the series. South Africa, ranked 4th, could strengthen their position for direct qualification to major tournaments.

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Both Teams?

For Pakistan: Time to Rebuild or Reboot?

The remaining matches in the series are must-win for Pakistan