Pakistan captain Babar Azam smashed South Africa to pieces at Centurion Park on Wednesday to guide his side to an unassailable 2-1 T20I series lead.
With one match to play, the nine-wicket victory ensures that Pakistan can’t lose the series – with their hosts hoping to win Friday’s final match to earn a draw.
⚠️ Result | @TheRealPCB win by 9 wickets@TheRealPCB take a 2-1 lead into Friday's decider
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 14, 2021
📺 Live on SuperSport and SABC 3
📝 Ball by Ball: https://t.co/FWsVipwr21#SAvPak #KFCT20 #SeeUsOnThePitch @KFCSA pic.twitter.com/CoFlJIwbSV
To do that, South Africa will have to plan their assault on Pakistan’s batsmen better.
After being sent in to bat first, South Africa scored 203/5 in their 20 overs. Openers Aiden Markram (63 off 31) and Janneman Malan (55 off 40) led from the front to score 108 for the first wicket, with fit-again middle-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen also chipping in with an unbeaten 34 off 20 balls.
But if Markram and Malan were chuffed with their effort at the top of the SA innings, then Pakistan duo Azam and Mohammad Rizwan smacked the smiles off of their faces.
In a ruthless batting display, the pair recorded a record partnership for any wicket for Pakistan with a total of 197, before Lizaad Williams (1/34) removed Azam for 122 (off 59 balls) – their highest ever T20I score.
Dropped on 51 at point by Pite van Biljon off the bowling of Beuran Hendricks, Rizwan ultimately ended on an unbeaten 73 off 47 balls.
South Africa’s bowling figures made for some sorry reading, with Hendricks conceding 55 runs in his four overs, Tabraiz Shamsi 39 in three and Sisanda Magala 38 in three as Pakistan finished on 205/1 in 18 overs.