Rawalpindi, October 28, 2025: Pakistan bowlers staged a late comeback to restrict South Africa to 194 for nine despite a fluent half-century from Reeza Hendricks in the opening T20I of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Put in to bat, the Proteas got off to a flying start as Quinton de Kock and Hendricks added 44 runs in four overs. The stand ended when Saim Ayub dismissed de Kock for a brisk 23 off 13 balls, including five boundaries.
Hendricks then joined forces with debutant Tony de Zorzi, who impressed with a quick 33 off 16 balls (five fours, one six) before falling to Mohammad Nawaz in the eighth over.
The visitors stumbled in the middle overs as Dewald Brevis (9) and Matthew Breetzke (1) fell cheaply to Nawaz and Ayub, respectively. Hendricks, however, continued to anchor the innings, adding 27 runs with captain Donovan Ferreira (10) and another 39 with George Linde, before being bowled by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over for 60 off 40 balls (five fours, one six).
Linde followed soon after, dismissed by Naseem Shah for a fiery 36 off 22 balls featuring four fours and a six. In the final over, Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Corbin Bosch, conceding just six runs to keep the total below 200.
Mohammad Nawaz led Pakistan’s attack with 3 for 26, while Ayub claimed two wickets. Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up one apiece.
