Babar hits 122 as Pakistan beat South Africa

CENTURION, South Africa: Babar Azam gave a batting master-class to lead Pakistan to a nine-wicket win in the third Twenty20 International against South Africa at SuperSport Park here on Wednesday.

Babar hit 122, his first T20 International century, and shared a record Pakistan first wicket partnership of 197 with Mohammad Rizwan (73 not out) as Pakistan chased down a challenging target of 204 with two overs to spare.

Virtually the only flaw in a dazzling batting display by the Pakistan captain was when he was dismissed with only seven runs needed, nudging an attempted ramp shot off Lizaad Williams to South African wicketkeeper and captain Heinrich Klaasen.

Rizwan embraced his captain as he started on his way back to the dressing room while several South African players ran to congratulate him after an innings of almost flawless timing and placement. He hit 15 fours and four sixes off 59 balls.

Babar earlier Wednesday had replaced India skipper Virat Kohli as the world’s top-ranked One-Day International batsman. Pakistan took a 2-1 lead in the four-match series after being well-beaten in the second match in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Babar and Rizwan shared the fourth-highest partnership in all T20 Internationals, while Babar made the highest individual score by a Pakistan batsman, beating 111 not out by Ahmed Shehzad against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2014. Babar’s previous highest score was 97 not out against the West Indies in Karachi in 2018. It was Pakistan’s highest successful run chase, eclipsing the 189 for six they made against the same opponents in Johannesburg four days ago. It continued a run of outstanding form by Babar in Centurion after he hit 103 and 94 in two One-Day Internationals earlier in the tour.

The final T20I will be played at the same ground on Friday (tomorrow). South Africa failed to capitalise on a hard-hitting opening stand of 108 between Aiden Markram (63) and Janneman Malan (55). South Africa finished with 203 for five but it was not enough on a ground with a reputation for high scoring.