KEY POINTS
- Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen’s 3/26, dismantled South Africa.
- South Africa struggled to recover, finishing with a modest total of 139.
LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan’s bowling unit came together to produce a stellar performance, restricting South Africa to a modest total of 139 in the third and final T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to field first paid off, as the bowlers dominated throughout the innings, dismantling the South African batting line-up.
Shaheen Shah Afridi led from the front, taking key wickets early in the innings. Returning to the side after injury, Afridi made an immediate impact by removing Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks, leaving South Africa reeling at 2/2. His lethal opening spell set the tone for the rest of the match.
Despite a brief recovery from Dewald Brevis and Reeza Hendricks, who added 38 runs together, South Africa was never able to recover from the early damage.
Brevis, who was the top scorer for the visitors, managed 21 runs off 22 balls before falling to debutant Usman Tariq in the eighth over.
Pakistan’s bowlers continued to suffocate the Proteas, with Mohammad Nawaz removing Matthew Breetzke for just one, and Faheem Ashraf dismissing captain Donovan Ferreira for a quick-fire 29 off 14 balls.
Faheem struck again in his next over, sending George Linde packing for a duck. By the 12th over, South Africa were reduced to a precarious 76/6.
Hendricks, who remained steadfast amid the collapse, top-scored with 34 runs off 36 balls before also falling to Tariq in the 15th over.
South Africa’s late resistance came from all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who remained unbeaten on 30 off 23 balls, but his efforts were not enough to drag his team to a competitive total.
Shaheen was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, claiming three wickets for just 26 runs in his four overs. Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq were also impressive, taking two wickets apiece, while Nawaz and Salman Mirza contributed with one wicket each.
With the Proteas posting a below-par score, Pakistan now looks to chase down the target and seal the series in front of their home crowd.
The bowlers’ disciplined and consistent performance gives Pakistan the upper hand as they head into the second half of the match.
