Pakistan crush SA by nine wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series

Irrepressible Pakistan captain Babar Azam delivered a batting master class at SuperSport Park as his team crushed SA by nine wickets to take a 2-1 lead in this four-match series.

In a breathtaking knock of flair‚ ingenuity and composure‚ Babar thumped a near flawless century to once again show that he is one of the best batsmen in the world across all formats.

He ended his shift on 122 off 59‚ a knock that included 15 boundaries and four maximums‚ as Pakistan bludgeoned this lightweight Proteas bowling attack with 12 balls to spare.

Babar was supported by his wicketkeeper/batsman Mohammad Rizwan‚ who scored a useful 73 off 47‚ during this ruthless act where they exposed the weaknesses of this makeshift Proteas team that is bereft of several starting players because of injuries and the IPL.

The visitors needed their top-order batsmen to step up after SA became the first team in seven years to score more than 200 in a T20 match against Pakistan on this good flat wicket in Centurion.

This was also the first time Pakistan chased down a score of more than 200 in T20s and their job was made easy by the South African bowlers who struggled for control.

Babar won the toss and inserted SA to bat and the Proteas responded with a good batting show of their own to score 203/5 in their 20 overs‚ but Babar and Rizwan had other ideas with a partnership of 197 off 107.

Pakistan reached their target with relative ease after 18 overs‚ Rizwan unbeaten on 73 and Fakhar Zaman on eight‚ and SA faced with the task of having to win the final match on Friday at this same venue to at least level the series.

In their batting innings‚ SA got off to good start with openers Aiden Markram and Janneman Malan putting together a first-wicket stand of 108 off 64 to lay a solid foundation.

They were so dominant against Pakistan bowlers in the early stages that after the power play they were on 65/0 with Markam having scored 35‚ and Malan after him closely on 28.

Four overs later their partnership reached the 100 runs mark with Markam on 56 and Malan‚ who deservedly achieved his maiden T20 half century in this match‚ standing on 42.

In the process Markram scored his third successive half century and registered his highest T20 score‚ but his party came to an end in the eleventh over and with his wicket began the South African collapse.

His wicket brought an end to his partnership of 108 off 64 balls with Malan.

He was soon followed by George Linde‚ Malan‚ Klaasen and Phehlukwayo and ultimately the South African innings ended on 203‚ which proved not to be enough as Pakistan triumphed by a comprehensive nine wickets.