Babar Azam's Half Century Secures Series Win for Pakistan
Babar Azam marked his return to T20 cricket with a commanding performance, scoring his 37th half century to guide Pakistan to a four-wicket victory over South Africa. His unbeaten 68 from 46 balls helped Pakistan chase down a target of 140 runs in 19 overs during the match in Lahore on Saturday.
South Africa batted first after winning the toss, posting a total of 139 for 9. Despite an inexperienced squad, South Africa had claimed the opening game by 55 runs in Rawalpindi. However, Pakistan rallied with back-to-back wins, clinching the series 2-1.
Key Moments of the Match
- Left-handed opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck, continuing a slump with five ducks in his last 10 T20 innings.
- Babar Azam was initially dropped by selectors for almost a year but was recalled as Pakistan sought the ideal batting lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
- He scored a duck in the first game but then surpassed Rohit Sharma's record for the most T20 runs by remaining 11 not out in the second match.
- Starting cautiously against the left-arm spin of George Linde, Babar gained confidence against the pace bowlers who struggled with consistent lengths due to heavy dew and a wet ball.
- Babar and captain Salman Ali Agha (33 runs) forged a crucial 76-run partnership that turned the game in Pakistan's favor.
"Pakistan rode Babar's 68 off 46 balls to reach 6-140 in 19 overs in Lahore on Saturday, running down South Africa's 9-139."
"He shared a match-winning 76-run stand with captain Salman Ali Agha (33) as South Africa struggled to get the breakthrough."
With this series victory, Pakistan reinforced their strength as they prepare for the upcoming international challenges.
Author's summary: Babar Azam’s decisive half century led Pakistan’s strong comeback against South Africa, securing the T20 series 2-1 and boosting their prospects for the T20 World Cup.