Third T20: Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell leaves South Africa in trouble

LAHORE: Shaheen Shah Afridi’s devastating bowling put South Africa under early pressure in the third and deciding T20 of the three-match series, with two of their batters dismissed in the very first over.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first in the match being played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The hosts made two changes to their lineup — resting Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed — while Shaheen Afridi and Usman Tariq returned to the playing XI. Afridi presented debutant Usman Tariq with his maiden T20 cap before the match, as teammates and support staff extended their best wishes.

Pakistan’s squad includes Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, captain Agha Salman, wicketkeeper Usman Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq.

At the toss, captain Agha Salman confirmed the changes, saying spinner Usman Tariq was making his T20 debut, while Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah were given rest.

South Africa also made three changes, with L.D. Pretorius, Andile Simelane, and Lizaad Williams coming into the side, while Tony de Zorzi, Nandre Burger, and Lungi Ngidi were left out.

The series is level at 1–1 after Pakistan bounced back strongly in the second T20 in Lahore, defeating South Africa by nine wickets after losing the opener in Rawalpindi by 55 runs.

In the second match on October 31, Pakistan comfortably chased down a modest 111-run target in the 14th over for the loss of just one wicket. Opener Saim Ayub remained unbeaten on 71, while Faheem Ashraf took four wickets for 23 runs, Salman Mirza bagged three for 14, and Naseem Shah claimed two wickets.