LAHORE: Pakistan got off to a flying start in the third and final T20 International as left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi dismantled South Africa’s top order, dismissing Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in his opening over at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts, having chosen to bowl first after winning the toss, are looking to seal the series following a spirited comeback in the second match that leveled the contest 1-1.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil Baartman.
Series background:
The two teams have been evenly matched in the shortest format out of 27 T20Is, both have won 13 each, with one match ending without a result.
The series has swung like a pendulum so far. South Africa drew first blood in Rawalpindi, thrashing Pakistan by 55 runs after restricting them to 139 while defending 195. But Pakistan bounced back in style in the second game, bundling out the Proteas for 110 before cruising to victory with 41 balls remaining.
Interestingly, the last T20I series between the sides took place in December 2024, when South Africa triumphed 2-0, with the third match washed out by rain.
Now, with the series locked and both teams desperate to clinch the decider, Shaheen’s fiery first over has already tilted the momentum in Pakistan’s favor.
