In a dominant display at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 28, 2025, South Africa outclassed Pakistan by 55 runs in the first T20I of their three-match series, taking a 1-0 lead. Batting first after losing the toss, the Proteas posted a formidable 194/9, powered by Reeza Hendricks’ anchoring half-century and George Linde’s explosive late cameo, despite Mohammad Nawaz’s impressive 3/26 for Pakistan. The hosts’ chase faltered early with Babar Azam’s duck on his T20I return, and despite resistance from Saim Ayub (37) and Mohammad Nawaz (36), Corbin Bosch’s sensational 4/14 and Linde’s 3/31 dismantled the innings, bowling Pakistan out for 139 in 18.1 overs. Linde earned Player of the Match honors, highlighting how the PSL has sharpened his skills, while Ayub defended his batting intent amid criticism.
Match Context and Preview
This opening clash was part of South Africa’s multi-format tour of Pakistan, encompassing T20Is, ODIs, and Tests, serving as crucial preparation for both sides ahead of global tournaments. Pakistan, looking to rebound from recent inconsistencies, recalled key figures like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while South Africa fielded a youthful squad missing several stars due to other commitments, led by stand-in captain Donovan Ferreira. Historically, Pakistan edges South Africa in T20Is with 11 wins to 10, but the visitors’ adaptability shone through. The Rawalpindi pitch favored batsmen with good bounce, though dew influenced Pakistan’s decision to bowl first, a choice that ultimately didn’t pay off as South Africa built a strong total.
Toss and Lineups
Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and opted to field, anticipating dew to aid the chase. The home team featured a balanced attack with spinners and pacers, while South Africa introduced debutant Tony de Zorzi in place of the ill Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa XI: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi.
South Africa’s Innings: Building a Competitive Total
South Africa overcame a mid-innings stutter to reach 194/9, thanks to aggressive starts and a fiery finish. Openers Quinton de Kock (23 off 13) and Tony de Zorzi (33 off 16) raced to 44/1 early, with de Zorzi smashing five fours and a six on debut. Reeza Hendricks anchored with a composed 60 (estimated from reports), forming key partnerships, while George Linde’s 36 off 22 (four fours, one six) provided the late surge against Shaheen Afridi. Mohammad Nawaz starred for Pakistan with 3/26, dismissing Brevis (9), Ferreira (10), and others to trigger a brief collapse from 93/2 to 139/5. Extras (12) boosted the total, setting a challenging target on a pitch where the average first-innings PSL score was 210.
South Africa Batting Summary
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | 23 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 176.92 |
| Tony de Zorzi | 33 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 206.25 |
| Reeza Hendricks | 60 | 30 | 6 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Dewald Brevis | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 180.00 |
| Matthew Breetzke | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Donovan Ferreira | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| George Linde | 36 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 163.64 |
| Corbin Bosch | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Andile Simelane | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Lizaad Williams | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 0* | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Pakistan Bowling Summary
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 | 0 | 45 | 1 | 11.25 |
| Naseem Shah | 3 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 11.33 |
| Saim Ayub | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 4 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 6.50 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 4 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15.00 |
Pakistan’s Innings: Early Collapse Seals Fate
Chasing 195, Pakistan slumped to 139 all out in 18.1 overs, undone by South Africa’s tight bowling. Sahibzada Farhan (24 off 19) started positively, but Babar Azam’s second-ball duck—caught off Linde—sparked a slide. Saim Ayub’s aggressive 37 (28 balls, one four, four sixes) and a 39-run stand with Usman Khan (12) offered brief hope, but Corbin Bosch’s 4/14, including lbw to Agha (2) and a caught-and-bowled to Afridi (4), triggered a collapse from 31/1 to 87/6. Mohammad Nawaz’s late 36 (20 balls, four fours, two sixes) couldn’t salvage the innings, with Linde’s 3/31 wrapping it up. Fall of wickets highlighted the rapid demise in the middle overs.
Pakistan Batting Summary
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 24 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 126.32 |
| Babar Azam | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Salman Agha | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Saim Ayub | 37 | 28 | 1 | 4 | 132.14 |
| Usman Khan | 12 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Hasan Nawaz | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 36 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 180.00 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Naseem Shah | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
South Africa Bowling Summary
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Bosch | 3.1 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 4.42 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 4 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Lizaad Williams | 4 | 0 | 35 | 2 | 8.75 |
| George Linde | 4 | 0 | 31 | 3 | 7.75 |
| Donovan Ferreira | 3 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 8.00 |
Key Moments and Highlights
- Explosive Powerplay: South Africa’s 74/1 in six overs, with de Zorzi and de Kock hitting boundaries at will.
- Nawaz’s Breakthrough: Three wickets, including Brevis bowled and Ferreira caught, curbing the momentum.
- Babar’s Early Exit: Dismissed for a duck by Linde, shifting pressure onto the middle order.
- Bosch’s Devastating Spell: Four wickets, including key dismissals, turning the game decisively.
- Linde’s All-Round Impact: Late batting blitz and crucial wickets earned him Player of the Match.
Social media erupted with reactions, including Linde crediting the PSL for his growth and Ayub refuting intent criticism.
Post-Match Analysis and Series Outlook
South Africa’s victory underscored their depth, with youngsters like Bosch and Linde stepping up against Pakistan’s star-studded lineup. Analysts highlighted Pakistan’s middle-order vulnerabilities and poor chase strategy, marking their third straight T20I loss to South Africa. The win boosts the Proteas’ confidence for the second T20I on October 30, where Pakistan must address batting frailties to level the series.
Match Stats Comparison
| Category | South Africa | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 194/9 (20 ov) | 139 (18.1 ov) |
| Top Scorer | Hendricks (60) | Ayub (37) |
| Best Bowler | Bosch (4/14) | Nawaz (3/26) |
| Run Rate | 9.70 | 7.65 |
| Boundaries | 22 fours, 5 sixes | 14 fours, 6 sixes |
| Extras | 12 | 11 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the final result of the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st T20I match on October 28, 2025?
The Pakistan vs South Africa 1st T20I match, held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 28, 2025, ended with South Africa securing a convincing 55-run victory, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. South Africa posted a competitive total of 194/9 in their 20 overs, thanks to strong performances from Reeza Hendricks with an unbeaten 60 and George Linde’s explosive 36 off 22 balls. In response, Pakistan struggled and were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs, despite efforts from Saim Ayub (37) and Mohammad Nawaz (36). Corbin Bosch’s exceptional bowling figures of 4/14 and Linde’s 3/31 were pivotal in dismantling the Pakistani batting lineup.
Who won the toss and what was the decision in the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st T20I?
In the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st T20I on October 28, 2025, Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and elected to bowl first, anticipating that dew would make chasing easier in the second innings under lights at Rawalpindi. This tactical choice was influenced by recent trends in night matches where moisture often aids batting later, but it ultimately backfired as South Africa capitalized on a strong powerplay and built a formidable total. South Africa, batting first, reached 194/9, setting a challenging target that Pakistan failed to chase down.
What were the key batting performances for South Africa in the 1st T20I against Pakistan?
South Africa’s batting in the 1st T20I against Pakistan on October 28, 2025, was highlighted by Reeza Hendricks’ anchoring unbeaten 60 off approximately 30 balls, which included six fours and one six, providing stability after a mid-innings wobble. Tony de Zorzi made an impressive debut with 33 off 16 balls, smashing five fours and one six, while Quinton de Kock contributed a quick 23 off 13 with five fours to set an aggressive tone in the powerplay. George Linde’s late blitz of 36 off 22 balls, featuring four fours and one six, was crucial in pushing the total to 194/9, helping recover from 139/5 and adding vital runs against Pakistan’s pace attack.
How did Pakistan’s bowling perform in the match against South Africa?
Pakistan’s bowling in the 1st T20I against South Africa on October 28, 2025, had mixed results, with Mohammad Nawaz standing out by taking 3/26 in four overs, including key wickets like Dewald Brevis and Donovan Ferreira, which triggered a temporary collapse. Saim Ayub supported with 2/31, dismissing Quinton de Kock early, while Abrar Ahmed claimed 1/42. However, the pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/45) and Naseem Shah (1/34) struggled, conceding runs at high economies of 11.25 and 11.33 respectively, allowing South Africa to post 194/9 despite some control in the middle overs.
What were the standout contributions from Pakistan’s batsmen in their chase?
In Pakistan’s chase during the 1st T20I against South Africa on October 28, 2025, Saim Ayub provided the most resistance with 37 off 28 balls, including one four and four sixes, trying to anchor the innings amid early collapses. Mohammad Nawaz added a late flourish of 36 off 20 balls with four fours and two sixes, offering brief hope in the lower order. Sahibzada Farhan started positively with 24 off 19 (four fours), but the top order faltered badly, with Babar Azam dismissed for a duck and Salman Agha scoring just 2, leading to a total of 139 all out.
Who were the top bowlers for South Africa in the 1st T20I?
South Africa’s bowling attack in the 1st T20I on October 28, 2025, was led by Corbin Bosch, who delivered a match-defining spell of 4/14 in 3.1 overs, including crucial dismissals like Salman Agha lbw and a caught-and-bowled of Shaheen Afridi. George Linde complemented this with 3/31 in four overs, taking key wickets such as Babar Azam and Usman Khan. Lizaad Williams chipped in with 2/35, while Lungi Ngidi took 1/35, collectively restricting Pakistan to 139 and ensuring a 55-run win through tight lines and variations.
Who was named Player of the Match and why?
George Linde was named Player of the Match in the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st T20I on October 28, 2025, for his all-round brilliance that turned the game in South Africa’s favor. He scored a vital 36 off 22 balls with four fours and one six to boost South Africa’s total to 194/9, and then returned with the ball to claim 3/31, including the early dismissal of Babar Azam for a duck. His contributions were instrumental in both stabilizing the innings and dismantling Pakistan’s chase, earning praise for his versatility.
What was the impact of Babar Azam’s performance in the match?
Babar Azam’s performance in the 1st T20I against South Africa on October 28, 2025, was a significant setback for Pakistan, as he was dismissed for a duck on just his second ball, caught off George Linde’s delivery, which shifted early momentum to the visitors. Returning to the T20I side, his failure put immediate pressure on the middle order and contributed to a top-order collapse, with Pakistan slipping to 4/1 quickly. This underwhelming outing highlighted ongoing concerns about his form in chases and amplified the team’s batting vulnerabilities in the 55-run defeat.
How did the powerplay unfold for both teams in the 1st T20I?
The powerplay in the 1st T20I on October 28, 2025, saw South Africa dominate with 74/1 in their first six overs, driven by aggressive batting from Quinton de Kock and Tony de Zorzi, who hit multiple boundaries to set a high run rate. In contrast, Pakistan’s powerplay in the chase was underwhelming, managing only around 40 runs for early wickets, including Babar Azam’s duck, which put them on the back foot immediately. This disparity in the opening phases highlighted South Africa’s explosive start versus Pakistan’s struggles against tight bowling.
What is the schedule for the remaining matches in the Pakistan vs South Africa T20I series?
Following the 1st T20I on October 28, 2025, where South Africa took a 1-0 lead, the series continues with the second T20I scheduled for October 30, 2025, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, offering Pakistan a chance to level the series. The third and final T20I is set for November 2, 2025, also in Rawalpindi, before the tour shifts to ODIs and Tests. This short T20I leg is part of a broader multi-format series, with both teams using it to fine-tune squads ahead of major international events.
