Pakistan bounced back strongly in the 2nd T20I against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 31, 2025, winning by a massive 9 wickets to level the three-match series 1-1. After bowling out South Africa for just 110 runs in 19.2 overs, Pakistan chased down the target easily in 13.1 overs, finishing at 112/1. Saim Ayub starred with an explosive unbeaten 71 off 38 balls, while the Pakistani bowlers shared the wickets evenly to restrict the visitors to their lowest score of the series.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Full Scorecard, Outlook India Live Coverage
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 110 | 19.2 | 10 | Lost by 9 wickets |
| Pakistan | 112 | 13.1 | 1 | Won with 41 balls remaining |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub | Pakistan | Batsman | 71* (38 balls, 6 fours, 5 sixes) |
| Salman Mirza | Pakistan | Bowler | 3/14 (4 overs) |
| Faheem Ashraf | Pakistan | Bowler | 4/23 (3.2 overs) |
| Dewald Brevis | South Africa | Batsman | 25 (16 balls, 3 sixes) |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | Batsman | 28 (23 balls, 3 sixes) |
Source: ESPNcricinfo Full Scorecard
Key Moments
- Early Collapse: Salman Mirza struck with the very first ball, removing Reeza Hendricks for a golden duck. South Africa slumped to 23/4 in the powerplay.
- Pakistan’s Bowling Dominance: All five Pakistani bowlers picked up wickets. Salman Mirza (3/14) and Faheem Ashraf (4/23) were exceptional, never allowing South Africa to build partnerships.
- Brevis Fights Alone: Dewald Brevis scored 25 with three sixes, but he received little support from the other end as wickets kept falling regularly.
- South Africa All Out: The Proteas were bowled out for 110 in 19.2 overs, their second-lowest total against Pakistan in T20Is.
- Explosive Start: Sahibzada Farhan (28) and Saim Ayub (71*) put on a 54-run opening stand to give Pakistan a strong foundation.
- Saim Ayub’s Masterclass: After Farhan fell in the 7th over, Ayub took charge and played aggressive cricket. He reached his fifty in just 29 balls and finished with an unbeaten 71.
- Match-Winning Six: Saim Ayub sealed the victory in style, hitting Donovan Ferreira for a six over deep midwicket to finish the chase with 41 balls remaining.
Match Analysis
Pakistan’s bowling attack was the difference-maker in this game. Captain Salman Agha won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that paid off immediately when Salman Mirza trapped Hendricks lbw on the second ball of the match. The bowlers maintained pressure throughout, with Naseem Shah (2/28), Mohammad Nawaz (0/19), and Abrar Ahmed (1/26) all keeping things tight.
South Africa never recovered from their poor start. Only Dewald Brevis showed any resistance, hitting three sixes in his 16-ball stay, but he lacked support. The visitors managed just two partnerships over 15 runs in their entire innings.
Chasing 111, Pakistan’s openers came out with intent. Sahibzada Farhan played aggressively for his 23-ball 28, which included three sixes. When he fell lbw to Corbin Bosch, Saim Ayub shifted gears. The left-hander was in complete control, striking six boundaries and five sixes. Babar Azam, who struggled for timing, played second fiddle with 11 runs off 18 balls, allowing Ayub to dominate the chase.
Pakistan’s victory was comprehensive, showing great improvement from their 55-run defeat in the first T20I at Rawalpindi. The series is now level at 1-1, setting up an exciting decider.
What’s Next
The third and final T20I will be played at the same venue, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both teams will be aiming to win the series, with Pakistan having the momentum after this dominant performance. The match will decide who takes home the series trophy.