3rd T20I: Babar Azam hit the highest score by a Pakistan batsman in T20I cricket as the visitors gunned down a 204-run target with 12 balls and 9 wickets to spare in Centurion to take a 2-1 unbeatable lead in the 4-match series vs South Africa.
3rd T20I: Babar hits 59-ball 122 as Pakistan hammer South Africa after 204 chase (AFP Photo)
Hours after becoming the World No. 1 batsman in ODI cricket, Babar Azam showcased why he is rated one of the best across all formats of the game by smashing a 59-ball 122 to help Pakistan gun down 204 against South Africa in Centurion in the 3rd T20I of a 4-match series on Wednesday.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan added 197 for the first wicket, the record for the highest opening stand in T20 cricket in a chase. While Rizwan remained unbeaten on 73 from 47 balls, Babar got out for 122 in the 18th over after doing all the damage that was needed.
With Fakhar Zaman (8) hitting the winning runs, Pakistan completed the 204-run chase in just 18 overs. With the emphatic victory, Pakistan took an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the 4-match series. Notably, Pakistan had won the 3-match ODI series 2-1 against South Africa earlier this month.
It was a masterclass in T20 batting from Babar Azam as the Pakistan captain took the aggressive route from the word go on a good batting deck at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. Babar showcased his wide range of shots and 4 boundaries and 15 sixes.
It was a masterclass in T20 batting from Babar Azam as the Pakistan captain took the aggressive route from the word go on a good batting deck at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. Babar showcased his wide range of shots and 4 boundaries and 15 sixes.
An inexperienced South Africa bowling attack, which missed the likes of IPL-bound Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, struggled to contain the two Pakistan openers who were going hammer and tongs.
122 - Highest score by a Pakistan batsman in T20I cricket. He went past Ahmed Shehzads record of 111 on Wednesday.
49 balls - Fastest hundred by a Pakistan batsman in T20Is. Broke Ahmed Shehzads record of 58 balls.
Earlier in the day, South Africas inexperienced batting unit stepped up and delivered big in the absence of the likes of Quinton de Kock. Opener Janneman Malan hit a 40-ball 55 while Aiden Markram took the attacking route to hit 63 from just 31-balls.
The two openers added 108 runs in just 10.4 overs, hitting 6 sixes and 11 boundaries between them. Handy cameos from George Linde (22) and van der Dussen (34) helped South Africa post 203 for 5 in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz picked up 2 wickets while Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali picked up a wicket each but it was not the night for bowlers in Centurion.
Having taken the unbeatable lead, Pakistan will look to seal the series when they take on South Africa in the 4th T20I on Friday at the same venue.Live TV
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