south africa vs pakistan

Pakistan Levels T20I Series with South Africa in Thrilling Lahore Showdown

Cricket fans across Canada and beyond were treated to a high-voltage clash as Pakistan leveled the T20I series against South Africa with a dominant nine-wicket victory in the second match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The win, fueled by explosive batting and fiery pace bowling, not only kept Pakistan alive in the three-match series but also reignited hopes of a comeback after a shaky start. With the series now poised at 1-1, the decider in Lahore promises fireworks as both teams battle for supremacy in what has become a fiercely contested showdown.

This wasn’t just another cricket match—it was a statement of resilience, youth power, and strategic brilliance from a Pakistan side that had been written off after a 55-run drubbing in the opener. Now, with momentum on their side, the hosts have set the stage for a thrilling finale.

The Turning Point: How Pakistan Dominated South Africa in the 2nd T20I

The second T20I, played on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, was a masterclass in execution. Pakistan, after losing the first match convincingly, came back with a vengeance—both with bat and ball.

South Africa’s Collapse: 110 All Out

Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, and Faheem Ashraf ran riot, dismantling the South African batting lineup for a mere 110 runs in 19.4 overs. The Proteas, who had posted 183 in the first game, were completely out of sorts.

• Faheem Ashraf and Abbas Afridi (Mirza) were the wreckers-in-chief, sharing 6 wickets between them.
• South Africa’s top order crumbled under pressure, with Aiden Markram and David Miller failing to fire.
• The innings was marked by poor shot selection and aggressive line-and-length bowling from Pakistan’s pacers.

As France 24 reported:

“Ashraf and Mirza skittle South Africa as Pakistan win 2nd T20.”
— France 24, October 31, 2025

The collapse was so swift that South Africa never recovered, with only Heinrich Klaasen (32) offering any resistance.

Saim Ayub’s Blazing Fifty Seals the Win

With just 111 to chase, Pakistan’s openers made light work of the target. Saim Ayub, the 21-year-old rising star, stole the show with a swashbuckling half-century, scoring 61 off just 42 balls, including 8 fours and 2 sixes.

• Babar Azam, returning to form, provided stability with an unbeaten 38 off 34.
• The pair shared a 94-run partnership, sealing the win in just 14.2 overs—a nine-wicket victory.

As Dawn highlighted:

“Saim smashes half century, pacers run riot as Pakistan thrash South Africa to level T20I series.”
— Dawn, October 31, 2025

This wasn’t just a win—it was a complete team performance, with youth and experience blending seamlessly.

Recent Updates: The Road to the Decider

The series has been a rollercoaster, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance.

Match 1: South Africa’s Commanding Start (October 29, 2025)

• South Africa won by 55 runs.
• Batting first, they posted 183/6, powered by Quinton de Kock (68) and David Miller (45).
• Pakistan faltered in the chase, managing only 128/8, with Shaheen Afridi taking 3 wickets but unable to defend the total.

Match 2: Pakistan’s Redemption (October 31, 2025)

• Pakistan won by 9 wickets.
• Faheem Ashraf (3/20) and Abbas Afridi (3/25) dismantled SA’s top order.
• Saim Ayub (61*) and Babar Azam (38*) chased down 111 with ease.

Match 3: The Series Decider – What We Know So Far (November 1, 2025)

• Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first in the crucial third T20I.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to the lineup, replacing an injured bowler.
• Usman Tariq made his international debut for Pakistan.
• South Africa made three changes, likely to bolster their middle order and spin attack.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the match is a developing story, with live updates streaming from Lahore.

“Pakistan have won the toss and opted to field first in the deciding game at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.”
— ESPNcricinfo, November 1, 2025

The decision to bowl first suggests Pakistan is banking on their strong pace attack to exploit early conditions and restrict South Africa—just as they did in the second match.

Contextual Background: Why This Series Matters

A Rivalry Revived

Pakistan and South Africa have a long-standing T20I rivalry, with both teams known for explosive batting and fiery fast bowling. Over the years, matches between these two sides have produced nail-biting finishes, record chases, and unforgettable individual performances.

• Head-to-head: Pakistan leads 14-11 in T20Is (as of 2025).
• Recent form: South Africa won the last bilateral T20 series in 2021 (3-2), but Pakistan won the 2022 T20 World Cup encounter in a thriller.

This series is particularly significant because: - It’s South Africa’s first full tour to Pakistan in over a decade, signaling growing confidence in Pakistan’s security and cricket infrastructure. - It’s a critical warm-up for both teams ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, where they’ll face each other in the group stage. - For Pakistan, it’s a test of their new generation—Saim Ayub, Abbas Afridi, and Usman Tariq—against one of the world’s best T20 sides.

The Rise of Pakistan’s Young Guns

The emergence of Saim Ayub is a game-changer. At just 21, he’s already being compared to Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for his composure and strokeplay. His 61 in the second T20I was not just about runs—it was about temperament under pressure*.

Similarly, Abbas Afridi (Mirza), with his aggressive pace and wicket-taking ability, is being hailed as the next big thing in Pakistan’s fast-bowling pipeline.

As ESPNcricinfo noted:

“Mirza, Faheem and Ayub star as marauding Pakistan make it 1-1.”
— ESPNcricinfo, October 31, 2025