Pakistan edged South Africa by four wickets in a thrilling third T20I at Lahore, clinching the series 2-1. In front of a raucous Gaddafi Stadium crowd, Babar Azam’s stellar knock and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s early carnage left fans in awe as Pakistan chased down 140 with one over to spare for a memorable series triumph.
Shaheen Afridi’s early strikes decimate South Africa
Opting to bat after winning the toss, South Africa were jolted from the outset by Shaheen’s fiery pace. Shaheen struck twice in his first over, dismantling experienced opener Quinton de Kock for a duck and removing Lhuan-dre Pretorius moments later to reduce South Africa to 0/2 within the opening exchanges. Usman Tariq compounded the misery, dismissing the dangerous Reeza Hendricks and Dewald Brevis as South Africa struggled to 38/3 inside eight overs. The momentum never quite recovered for the visitors.
Despite some resistance from Donovan Ferreira, who smashed a quick 29 off 14 balls, and useful runs from Corbin Bosch (30*), South Africa found boundaries hard to come by and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Faheem Ashraf bowled with discipline in the middle overs to pick up two crucial wickets, while Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with one apiece. Shaheen returned to claim his third, finishing with 3/26 in his four overs, as South Africa limped to 139/9 at the end of their 20 overs. The pressure created by Pakistan’s bowlers, especially in the powerplay, set the tone for the hosts and excited the packed stadium.
Babar Azam anchors chase with masterful knock
Pakistan’s chase was not without its hurdles, as South Africa fought valiantly to stay in the contest. Saim Ayub fell early, but opener Sahibzada Farhan, playing confidently, partnered with senior batter Babar to resurrect the innings. Farhan’s breezy 19 laid the foundation, while Salman Agha’s 33 added crucial support. Yet it was Babar who once again proved the differentiator on a tense night.
Walking in under pressure, Babar combined composure with controlled aggression, accumulating singles and expertly dispatching anything loose. He brought up his fifty in just 36 balls, peppering the fence with crisp drives and wristy flicks. Babar’s 68 from 47 balls, including nine elegant boundaries, anchored the chase, even as wickets tumbled around him in the final overs. South Africa managed to prick the nerves by bagging Agha and Babar in successive overs, but Usman and Ashraf kept their cool.
Ultimately, Pakistan reached the target of 140 with four wickets and six balls to spare, setting off wild celebrations among players and fans. The magnitude of Babar’s knock, inscribed under pressure and on a tricky pitch, elevated him yet again in the pantheon of Pakistan cricket. As fans erupted for their skipper’s remarkable effort and Afridi’s opening spell, Pakistan’s series win against a determined South African outfit turned the Gaddafi Stadium into a cauldron of national pride.
Also READ: Babar Azam breaks Rohit Sharma’s T20I record as Pakistan thrash South Africa
Here’s how fans reacted:
POTM waht a knock by Babar Azam a classical knock by King Babar 56 #Abhinoor #BiggBoss19 #FarrhanaBhatt pic.twitter.com/GJNeokZRAt
— Abid Mengal (@mengal753) November 2, 2025
Babar Azam’s T20 comeback hits different as he now holds:
– Most runs in T20I history
– Most 4s in T20I history
– Most 50+ scores in T20I history#PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/pm7ZsdVPWe— Pakistan’s Shaheens Army (@PakShaheensArmy) November 2, 2025
Became the highest run-scorer the previous game, tops the 50+ chart in this one
Babar Azam ends the series on a high
Like&repost&follow #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/8IwTIh9KrW— motivational vibes (@Usamaawan179981) November 2, 2025
Well played king #babar azam pic.twitter.com/dxlTjzkWm3
— Yousaf Shah (@YousafS26210362) November 2, 2025
Well done King Babar Azam pic.twitter.com/dHSUskBnGK
— Aziz (@A_officialk1) November 2, 2025
BABAR AZAM! That’s it.. that’s the tweet!! #BabarAzam #BabarAzam𓃵 #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/VPM4PhxSpX
— Tooba (@mayogarlicfries) November 2, 2025
There was a Crowd,
There was a class
There was a King Babar Azam pic.twitter.com/6CqZQkcHAP
— 𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠 𝕏 (@shehjaar_) November 2, 2025
Babar Azam was never out of form
He was just missing playing with Z team at flat home pitches pic.twitter.com/LdWu9zQ6xT
— Men’s Cricket (@MensCricket) November 2, 2025
Conspiracy against Babar Azam got a slap on their face.Everywhere there was ill efforts to damage him mentally. He is comfortable at No https://t.co/CwiukQvw6P him No 1 position was also a conspiracy.What is strike rate.Let him play at his style.He is now No 1 among T20 batters pic.twitter.com/KoF45y3654
— S.A.K (@EngineerKalam) November 2, 2025
Achievements of Babar Azam in this Series.
– Dethroned Rohit Sharma by scoring most runs in the history of T20is
-Dethroned Virat Kohli by scoring most 50s in the history of T20is
– Dethroned Rohit Sharma by hitting most 4s in the history of T20is. pic.twitter.com/YSipCL4RG4
— Zãhøør Éhmãd Dãr (@darzahoor_) November 2, 2025
Also READ: List of most T20I ducks for Pakistan ft. Babar Azam and Shahid Afridi
