Pakistan Wins T20 Series in South Africa

Pakistan Wins T20 Series in South Africa.

Pakistan sealed a 3-1 win in the Twenty20 series in South Africa with a thrilling final game victory on Friday.

Going 92-1 in the 12th, while chasing a winning goal of 145, Pakistan suddenly lost five wickets for 23 runs to slide to 115-6 in the 15th.

That ensured a tense finish to the tour finale at SuperSport Park.

No. 8 Mohammad Nawaz saw the tourists at home, hitting 25, not out of 21, when he died, including two crucial sixes in the final two overs.

Pakistan needed 16 of the last 12 balls and, with the pressure mounting, Nawaz hit a six on the square leg of the fifth ball of the 19th round, then drew another six from the square leg of the fifth ball of the twentieth round. That secured victory in style with a ball to spare when Pakistan needed two of the last two deliveries.

Pakistan finished 149-7 in response to South Africa’s 144 with 19.3 overs.

Batting at No. 3, Fakhar Zaman continued his red-hot form with 60 of 34 balls to put Pakistan on course.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam plays a shot during the fourth and final T20 cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan at Centurion Park in Pretoria, South Africa, on Friday, April 16, 2021 (AP Photo / Themba Hadebe).

Pakistan also won the one-day international series for a highly successful tour.

South Africa, 2-1 down and struggling to save the T20 series, struggled after being put at-bat, with only Rassie van der Dussen teasing Pakistan with her 52 of 36 balls.

Van der Dussen fell in 14th when he was caught by a push towards the middle of the wicket and that led to South Africa doubling from 112-3 to 144 in the space of six overs.

South Africa’s last eight batters contributed just 36 runs between them. Faheem Ashraf won 3-17 and Hasan Ali 3-40 to lead an outstanding Pakistani bowling performance that set up the series victory.