PAK vs SA: Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf star as Pakistan crush South Africa in 2nd T20I

Pakistan produced a dominant performance to beat South Africa by nine wickets in the second T20I at Lahore on Friday, levelling the three-match series 1-1. The hosts bowled out South Africa for just 110 before chasing the target easily in 13.1 overs.

Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza, playing only his sixth T20I, was the star with the new ball. He took 3 wickets for 14 runs, removing Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke in a fiery opening spell. Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf backed him up well, using slower balls smartly to keep South Africa under pressure.

Quinton de Kock fell cheaply again, caught off Naseem, as South Africa struggled at 23 for 4 within five overs. Dewald Brevis was the only batter to fight back, scoring 25 from 16 balls with three sixes, but he too fell to Faheem, who finished with 4 for 26. From 66 for 6 after 10 overs, South Africa never recovered and were bowled out for 110 in the



final over.

In reply, Pakistan made the chase look simple. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan added 54 for the opening wicket. Farhan started carefully, while Ayub played freely, reaching his first T20I fifty in front of the home crowd. His best moment came in the ninth over, when he hit Ottneil Baartman for 21 runs, including two sixes and two fours.

After Farhan was dismissed, captain Babar Azam joined Ayub and guided the team home. Babar also reached a special milestone, becoming the highest run-scorer in T20Is, passing Rohit Sharma’s tally.

Ayub remained unbeaten as Pakistan finished the chase in style, winning with 41 balls to spare.

The result sets up a mouth-watering decider on Saturday, with both teams tied 1-1 in the series. South Africa will need to rethink their batting plans, while Pakistan will look to continue their strong form with both bat and ball.