South Africa opener Reeza Hendricks struck 60 from 40 balls and seamer Corbin Bosch took a career-best four for 14 in four overs to help their side to a 55-run victory over host Pakistan in the first Twenty20 International in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
The visitor was sent in to bat and amassed 194 for nine in its 20 overs, before restricting Pakistan to 139 all out in reply.
Hendricks and fellow opener Quinton de Kock (23 from 13 balls) got their side off to a fast start, before debutant in this format, Tony de Zorzi, added a quickfire 33 from 16 deliveries and all-rounder George Linde 36 from 22.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was excellent with the ball for Pakistan and returned figures of three for 26 in four overs.
Pakistan was restricted by the South African seamers in its reply and never managed to build momentum in the innings, despite 37 from 28 balls at the top of the order from Saim Ayub.
Babar Azam, playing his first T20I since December last year, did not last long as he spooned a catch to Hendricks at cover off Bosch for a two-ball duck.
South Africa spinner Linde was expensive early on but finished with three for 31.
The second match in the three-game series will be played in Lahore on Friday, before it concludes at the same venue on Saturday.
Published on Oct 29, 2025