Pakistan defeated South AFrica in the second third Twenty20 match. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK
Babar Azam’s 68 off 47 balls in Pakistan’s chase of 140-runs proved to be crucial as the hosts won the Twenty20 series 2-1 in Lahore on Saturday night.
Babar made an impressive comeback with his 37th T20I half-century overall, and his first since May 2024.
Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi made the most of his spell as he took three wickets only giving away 26 runs.
Usman Tariq, too, made a promising debut with his two wickets.
“The way Lahore crowd supported, this innings was due. I backed myself, the team believed in me,” Babar Azam was quoted by Cricinfo.
“I was hoping for such a knock. There is pressure in everything. It is about how you absorb it. I wanted to do what the team needed, play according to the situation. I worked on my strengths, improved my weaknesses. At the start, the ball was gripping for spinners. Agha and I wanted to see off spinners. Fast bowlers were easy to face. Wanted to take it deep and build partnerships. Worked for the team. People should support every Pakistan player like they support me.”
Faheem Ashraf was named the Player of the Series.
“I have a role in the team. I try to play accordingly, be it with ball, bat or on the field. Even if I don’t get to bowl or bat, I try to help the team with my fielding. I get edge as a bowler because I can think as a batter. So I try to think like a batter while I bowl, batter gets disturbed. When a batter expects me to bowl slow, I try to go pace-on. I am ready to adapt to the team’s need with ball and bat,” he said after the match.
