Brilliant Babar leads Pakistan to a crushing win over South Africa

A record-breaking opening stand between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan helped Pakistan thrash South Africa by 9 wickets. Babar and Rizwan stitched a 197 run partnership in 17.4 overs to give Pakistan a 2-1 lead in the four matches T20I series. The new No 1 ODI batsman, Babar Azam was dismissed for a breathtaking 122 off 59 balls while Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 73 off 47 balls.

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Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and put South Africa in to bat. However, the decision backfired as South African openers, Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram added 108 runs in 10.4 overs, both fetching fifties for themselves. Markram stroked his third consecutive half century of the T20I series and was dismissed for a well made 63 off 31 balls.

George Linde was promoted up the order and the all-rounder played a little cameo of 22 before being cleaned up by Faheem Ashraf. Van der Dussen marked his return to the national team with a brisk 34 off 20 balls. Every batsman that came out to bat for South Africa made vital contributions as South Africa posted a daunting 204. However, little did they know that Pakistan will make a mockery of this daunting target.

With this win, Pakistan have ensured that they can’t lose the series. If they can pick up a win in the final game, which will be played on the 16th of April at the same venue, it will be their fourth consecutive series victory over South Africa. Earlier, they defeated the Proteas in the Test and T20I series in Pakistan and won the ODI series in South Africa.