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Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam shared a heartfelt message after being named the Player of the Match in the third T20I against South Africa.
With Babar’s 68 from 47 balls, Pakistan chased down a 140-run target in the second last over and clinched the three-match T20I series 2-1 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Saturday.
In his innings, he achieved his 40th T20I half-century, surpassing the previous record of 39 fifties set by former India captain Virat Kohli.
Among the other notable contributors in the four-wicket victory were Agha Salman, who made 33 runs off 26 balls, while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Khan maintained their composure to guide the team to victory following a minor middle-order setback.
Earlier, after being put into bat, South Africa managed only 139-9 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Shaheen Afridi and Salman Mirza’s clinical bowling.
Babar expressed his thoughts via a social media post.
“Grateful to be back doing what I love. Thankful for those who believed when it was quiet,” he wrote on X.
Following the Test and ODI series, the action moves to Faisalabad for a three-match ODI series, scheduled from November 4 to November 8.
Earlier today, Pakistan and South Africa squads arrived in Faisalabad on Sunday for the ODI series.
The three-match series will mark Faisalabad’s first ODI in 17 years. The last ODI fixture played at this venue was between Pakistan and Bangladesh in April 2008.
After a rest day, the Proteas and Green Shirts will have practice sessions tomorrow.
Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
South Africa: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, and Lizaad Williams
Nov. 4: First ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Nov. 6: Second ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Nov. 8: Third ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
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