PAK vs SA | Proteas aim to rub salt into flailing Pakistan's wounds with series up for grabs in Lahore

After a valiant effort in Rawalpindi helped draw the Test series 1-1, South Africa added to the good memories from the city with a win in the first T20I by a mammoth 55-run margin. What made the result more glaring for the hosts is the sheer quality missing from their rival lineup through injury, with none of Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, or Keshav Maharaj taking part while Donovan Ferreira takes the rein in just his second international affair. However, the narrative of the series was set on a separate tangent well in advance courtesy two other names that do feature in the squads, in Quinton de Kock and Babar Azam.

Both men are making a comeback to T20I cricket, albeit for highly contrasting reasons. Quinton left the scene on top of the world, having led South Africa to a maiden T20 World Cup final with the bat jut a year after enjoying a record breaking ODI World Cup campaign. The wicket-keeper batter made no public announcements but simply sidelined himself, until making himself available for the ongoing series out of the blue. Babar, on the other hand, long hailed as the saviour of Pakistan cricket that takes them to a new dawn of success, was unceremoniously discarded from the shortest format as they sought a shift in philosophy, with head coach Mike Hesson pintedly asking the veteran to improve the strike rate if he is to find a way back. Ironically, before Babar even had an opportunity to show a remodeled game, he was back in the squad and in the firing line once again.

Their first shots at revitalizing their international careers had varying tones too, as Quinton looked like he had never left in a quickfire 23-run cameo at the top of the order, while Babar fell for a two ball duck following a wild hack uncharacteristic of the man. Whether the tangets will continue to seperate further or collide as the series goes on, is a question only time can answer. 

Form Guide

South Africa have had a year to forget so far in the shortest format. They began by reaching the final off a T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe but lost to New Zealand for a third consecutive time in the tournament in the summit clash. That was followed with a 2-1 loss Down Under before drawing a three-match series in England 1-1 and losing a one-off T20I in Namibia with a second-string side.

Pakistan's first assignment in 2025 was a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash of Bangladesh on home soil but the Tigers returned the favour soon after by triumphing 2-1 in their own backyard. The Men in Green bounced back with a 2-1 win over the Windies in the USA and a tri-series title involving Afghanistan and the UAE. However, their latest campaign at the Asia Cup has once again seemed to set back any past progress, as they lost thrice to India including in the final without giving much of a challenge.

PAK:  L L W W L

SA: W L L W L

PAK vs SA Head-to-Head in T20s

Pakistan and South Africa had an even head-to-head record in the shortest format coming into the series but curiously enough, the Asian contingent has won all four World Cup encounters between the two teams. However, that means the Proteas have won four of their six bilateral series against the Men in Green, including their latest meeting in December last year where they triumphed 2-0. Nevertheless, Pakistan won the only series amongst them on home soil, by a 2-1 margin in 2021.

PAK 12-13 SA

Pitch and Weather

Lahore is one of the best tracks for batting in Pakistan as per recent trends, with hard and true bounce offering ideal conditions for stroke making. The recent T20I series between the hosts and Bangladesh produced first innings scores of 201, 196, and 201 at the venue, while the last four Pakistan Super League matches in Lahore all yielded 190-plus totals after a rain-marred first half of the tournament. Expect the captain winning the toss to put runs on the board once again come Friday.

A hot and humid evening awaits the players in Lahore with temperatures hovering around the 25 degrees celsius mark. The low air quality means hazy moonlight with persist but there are little chances of dew having an impact on proceedings.

Team News

Babar Azam's return to T20Is did not fare well but the veteran batter i slikely to get a decent run in the team. Pakistan may be inclined to hand Usman Tariq a debut after Abrar Ahmed struggled in the role of specialist spinner in th first T20I. Their pace options include Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz, albeit the Men in Green are likely to stick with the reunited Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi new ball pairing.

A wicketless showing from Nandre Burger may see him make space for Ottniel Baartman while George Linde should retain his place over the other spin bowling option Nqabayomzi Peter. In the batting department, Lhuan-dre Pretorius may slot in for Matthew Breetzke after missing the first game with illness. 

Pakistan Probable XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed 

South Africa Probable XI: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi      

Broadcasting Platforms

The T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa will be broadcast for free on the YouTube channel Sports TV. However, there will be no telecast in the Indian market.