Key points
- South Africa beats Pakistan by 55 runs
- Pakistan’s batting fails to build momentum
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal sarcastically mocked the national team after all-rounder Faheem Ashraf was not given a single over in the first T20I against South Africa on Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Akmal took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to say, “Faheem Ashraf 0-0-0… what a magical spell. Well done O scienceDano #PAKvSA.”
@iFaheemAshraf 0-0-0 what a magical spell…Well done O scienceDano #PAKvSA
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) October 28, 2025
The match saw South Africa defeat Pakistan by 55 runs in the series opener, with Corbin Bosch taking four wickets and Reeza Hendricks anchoring the innings with a half-century. Chasing a challenging target of 195, Pakistan could only manage 139 before being dismissed in 18.1 overs.
For South Africa, Hendricks was the top scorer with 60 from 40 balls, including five fours and one six. George Linde added a vital 36 off 22 balls, while Tony de Zorzi and Quinton de Kock, making his return, contributed 33 and 23 runs, respectively.
Pakistan’s bowling attack
Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by Nawaz, who claimed three wickets for just 26 runs in four overs. He was assisted by Saim Ayub with two wickets, while Abrar, Naseem, and Shaheen each took one wicket.
In reply, Pakistan’s batting failed to gain momentum. Saim Ayub was the highest scorer with 37 off 28 balls, hitting one four and four sixes. Babar Azam, making his T20I return against South Africa after last playing them in 2024, was dismissed for a second-ball duck by Bosch in the final over of the powerplay.
Nawaz played a fighting innings, scoring 36 off 20 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, while Sahibzada Farhan contributed 24 from 19 balls. South Africa’s bowling performance was dominated by Corbin Bosch with four wickets, supported by George Linde with three and Williams with two.
