Rawalpindi, October 28 (Udaipur Kiran). South Africa posted 194 runs for nine wickets against Pakistan in the first T20 match of the three-match series being played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bowl first, but the decision didn’t work in his favour as South Africa put up a strong total.
Opening batsman Reeza Hendricks anchored the innings with a fine half-century, scoring 60 runs off 40 balls with five fours and a six. Quinton de Kock added a quick 23 runs off 13 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Tony de Zorzi contributed 33 runs from 16 balls with five fours and one six. In the final overs, George Linde played an impactful innings of 36 runs off 22 balls, including four fours and a six. Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke were dismissed for 9 and 1 runs, respectively.
For Pakistan, left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs in his four overs. Saim Ayub picked up two wickets for 31 runs, while Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket but conceded 42 runs in his four overs. Naseem Shah took one wicket for 34 runs in three overs, and Shaheen Afridi proved expensive, giving away 45 runs for one wicket in his four-over spell.
Although Pakistan are playing at home, chasing a 195-run target will not be easy. South Africa, despite fielding a relatively young bowling lineup, are known for their sharp fielding, which could make the chase even tougher. Notably, Babar Azam has returned to the Pakistan squad after a gap, and all eyes will be on how effectively he leads the chase.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
