Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Table of Contents
Pakistan vs South Africa T20Is have exploded into one of cricket’s fiercest modern rivalries raw aggression, sky-high totals, and heart-stopping finishes define every clash. From Afridi’s early fireworks to Hendricks’ record chases and Babar’s cool anchors against Rabada’s thunder, these duels deliver pure white-ball drama, fan frenzy, and tactical brilliance under lights.
Latest Matches
Recent Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline encounters across formats (as of March 2026)
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Pakistan Score | South Africa Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilateral ODI | Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad | Nov 8, 2025 | SA (bat) | 144/3 (25.1 overs) | 143 (37.5 overs) | Pakistan won by 7 wickets | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | Abrar Ahmed (PAK) |
| Bilateral ODI | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | Nov 6, 2025 | – | 269/9 (50 overs) | 270/2 (40.1 overs) | South Africa won by 8 wickets | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | – |
| Bilateral ODI | Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan | Nov 4, 2025 | – | 264/8 (49.4 overs) | 263 (50 overs) | Pakistan won by 2 wickets | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | – |
| Bilateral T20I | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Nov 1, 2025 | – | 140/6 (19 overs) | 139/9 (20 overs) | Pakistan won by 4 wickets | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | – |
| Bilateral T20I | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Oct 31, 2025 | Pak (field) | 112/1 (13.1 overs) | 110 (19.2 overs) | Pakistan won by 9 wickets | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | Salman Mirza (PAK) |
| Bilateral T20I | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | Oct 28, 2025 | – | 139 (18.1 overs) | 194/9 (20 overs) | South Africa won by 55 runs | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | George Linde (SA) |
| Bilateral Test | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | Oct 20-23, 2025 | – | 333 & 138 | 404 & 73/2 | South Africa won by 8 wickets | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | Keshav Maharaj (SA) |
| Bilateral Test | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Oct 12-15, 2025 | Pak (bat) | 378 & 167 | 269 & 183 | Pakistan won by 93 runs | South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025/26 | Noman Ali (PAK) |
| Tri-Nation ODI | National Stadium, Karachi | Feb 12, 2025 | SA (bat) | 355/4 (49 overs) | 352/5 (50 overs) | Pakistan won by 6 wickets | Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2024/25 | Salman Agha (PAK) |
| Bilateral Test | Newlands, Cape Town | Jan 3-6, 2025 | – | 194 & 478 | 615 & 58/0 | South Africa won by 10 wickets | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024/25 | – |
| Bilateral Test | SuperSport Park, Centurion | Dec 26-29, 2024 | – | 211 & 237 | 301 & 150/8 | South Africa won by 2 wickets | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024/25 | Aiden Markram (SA) |
| Bilateral ODI | Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | Dec 22, 2024 | – | 308/9 (47 overs) | 271 (42 overs) | Pakistan won by 36 runs (DLS) | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024/25 | – |
| Bilateral ODI | Newlands, Cape Town | Dec 19, 2024 | – | 329 | 248 (43.1 overs) | Pakistan won by 81 runs | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024/25 | – |
| Bilateral ODI | Boland Park, Paarl | Dec 17, 2024 | SA (bat) | 242/7 (49.3 overs) | 239/9 (50 overs) | Pakistan won by 3 wickets | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024/25 | – |
| Bilateral T20I | Kingsmead, Durban | Dec 10, 2024 | – | 172/8 (20 overs) | 183/9 (20 overs) | South Africa won by 11 runs | Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024/25 | – |
Head-to-Head Summary Table
| Format | Matches Played | Pakistan Wins | South Africa Wins | Draws / Ties / No Result | Pakistan Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 32 | 7 | 18 | 7 | 21.9% |
| ODIs | 90 | 36 | 53 | 1 | 40.0% |
| T20Is | 27 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 51.9% |
| Overall | 149 | 57 | 84 | 8 | 38.3% |
Batting Kings
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Runs Scored | Average | Why They Shine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinton de Kock | SA | 32+ | Highest in rivalry | – | Explosive opener, multiple big hundreds |
| 2 | Mohammad Hafeez | PAK | 57 | Top-tier consistency | – | Veteran all-round beast |
| 3 | Shoaib Malik | PAK | 50+ | Reliable middle-order | – | Clutch performer for years |
| 4 | Babar Azam | PAK | Recent standout | 447+ (T20 focus) | High | King of chases |
| 5 | Mohammad Rizwan | PAK | Recent standout | 462+ (T20 focus) | High | Finisher supreme |
Bowling Wizards
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Why They Shine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wasim Akram | PAK | – | 28 | Legendary | Swing god who terrorised SA |
| 2 | Kagiso Rabada | SA | – | 21 | 7/112 type | Modern pace spearhead |
| 3 | Shoaib Akhtar | PAK | – | Top 3 | Raw pace | The Rawalpindi Express |
| 4 | Shaheen Afridi | PAK | Recent | 13+ | Match-winning | New-age left-arm rocket |
| 5 | Tabraiz Shamsi | SA | Recent | 13 | Mystery spin | T20 destroyer |
The Birth of a High-Octane Rivalry: First Encounters and Early Sparks (2007-2010)
The T20 flame ignited in 2007 when Pakistan and South Africa locked horns in Johannesburg, birthing a rivalry laced with audacious strokes and nail-biting chases. Shahid Afridi’s whirlwind cameos clashed with AB de Villiers’ silken boundaries, setting pulses racing. Fans in Lahore and Cape Town traded barbs online, their passion mirroring the on-field aggression. Early ties were razor-thin, with Proteas edging a thriller before Pakistan stole revenge. These sparks—raw, unfiltered—laid the foundation for decades of fireworks, where every over promised chaos.
| Category | Highlight | Details | Match Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 149/4 (Pakistan) | Led by Younis Khan (46*) & Kamran Akmal (41); explosive powerplay | Nov 7, 2009, Wanderers – Pak crushed SA by 39 runs |
| Highest Chase | 127/6 (Pakistan, chasing 127) | Afridi’s 32 off 16 balls sealed it; tense final over | Sep 2, 2007, Wanderers – Pak won by 4 wkts in WC warm-up |
| Best Batting Innings | 79* (AB de Villiers) | Blistering 49-ball knock with 7 fours, 3 sixes | Sep 1, 2007, Wanderers – SA’s chase masterclass, won by 7 runs |
| Best Bowling Figures | 3/17 (Saeed Ajmal) | Wickets of Gibbs, de Villiers; spin stranglehold | Sep 1, 2007 – Dismantled SA middle order in defeat |
| Top Run-Scorer | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 66 runs in 2 inns | Strike rate 200+; iconic 32 (16) with 3 sixes | Across 2007 duels – Boom-Boom’s early rivalry stamp |
| Most Wickets | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 4 wkts | 2/19 & 2/??; leg-spin wizardry under lights | 2007 series – Outshone pacers with guile |
| Key Moment | Afridi’s Last-Ball Six Attempt | Edged for four, but heart-stopping drama | Sep 2, 2007 – Fan frenzy as Pak snatched series leveler |
| Record Spark | Fastest 50 in Rivalry Era | None yet (de Villiers 49 off 29 close); set tone for future blitzes | 2007 – Hinted at T20 evolution in duels |
Home Dominance and Revenge Sagas: Pakistan’s Lahore Masterclass and South Africa’s Bounce-Back (2019-2021)
South Africa’s 2019 tour of the Rainbow Nation turned vengeful as they clinched a 2-1 T20I edge over Pakistan, with Faf du Plessis’ captaincy fire and Reeza Hendricks’ blade slicing through green hopes. Yet, fast-forward to Lahore’s cauldron in 2021, Pakistan flipped the script in a gripping 2-1 home triumph. Mohammad Rizwan’s gritty anchors and Faheem Ashraf’s death-over darts sparked roars from Gaddafi faithful, while Tabraiz Shamsi’s wizardry gifted Proteas a lone win. These sagas brewed raw aggression—sledges echoing under floodlights, fans erupting in partisan fury—forging a rivalry where home soil amplified every heartbeat, every boundary a battle cry.
| Category | Highlight | Details | Match Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 203/7 (South Africa) | Faf du Plessis (80 off 44, 5×4, 5×6) & Heinrich Klaasen (63 off 40, 3×4, 3×6); blistering 100-run stand | 3rd T20I, Feb 6, 2019, Centurion – Pak chased it down dramatically, but SA set tone for high-scorers |
| Highest Successful Chase | 204/5 (Pakistan, chasing 204) | Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 91 (48 balls, 6×4, 6×6) & Babar Azam (48 off 32); 66-run opening blitz | 3rd T20I, 2019 – Pak’s lone win, a revenge thriller that had SA fans stunned |
| Best Batting Innings | 91 (Fakhar Zaman) | 48-ball carnage with 6 fours, 6 sixes; strike rate 189.58, pulled game away in chase | 3rd T20I, 2019 – Iconic “Fakhar Time” moment, silencing critics after series losses |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/30 (Beuran Hendricks) | Swing and seam terror; dismissed Babar, Hafeez early; economical 7.50 | 1st T20I, Feb 1, 2019, Cape Town – SA’s 6-run heist, Hendricks’ spell sparked Proteas’ dominance |
| Top Run-Scorer | Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 160 runs in 3 inns | Avg 80, SR 136.75; knocks of 69, 43, 48 – consistent anchor amid chaos | 2019 series – Babar’s poise vs SA pace set stage for future Lahore heroes |
| Most Wickets | Imran Tahir (South Africa) – 5 wkts | 3/27 & 2/??; leg-spin guile dismantled Pak tail | 2019 series – Tahir’s farewell fireworks, outfoxing young guns like Shadab |
| Key Moment | Rizwan’s Last-Over Heroics | 74* (56 balls, 3×4, 3×6) in tense chase; 13 off final over from Rabada | 1st T20I, Feb 11, 2021, Lahore – Pak’s 4-wkt win, fans invaded pitch in joy, symbolizing home revival |
| Record Spark | Fastest Fifty in Era | Heinrich Klaasen 63 off 40 (close, but Fakhar’s 91 faster overall); du Plessis’ 80 off 44 quickest SA knock | 2019 3rd T20 – Hinted at T20 evolution, with 407 combined runs, highest aggregate in a match |
| Fan Aggression Highlight | Lahore Roar Post-2nd T20 Loss | 20,000 fans booed SA bus; online wars erupted with #PakRevenge trending | 2021 series – Turned pressure into fuel, Pak bounced back in decider amid electric atmosphere |
| Tactical Gem | Shamsi’s Chinaman Mystery | 3/25 strangled Pak middle; googly foxed Hafeez, turned tide | 2nd T20I, 2021 – SA’s bounce-back win, exposing Pak’s spin vulnerability under lights |
| Pressure Play | Miller’s Near-Super Over | 40 off 21 in 3rd T20; sixes rained, but Ashraf’s yorkers held firm | 3rd T20I, 2021 – Heart-pounding finish, Pak edged home by 4 wkts, series clincher |
| Interesting Stat | Most Sixes in Series | 28 combined (Pak 15, SA 13); du Plessis (8) led fireworks | 2019-21 duels – Era defined by big-hitting, with 1,200+ runs across 6 matches |
Recent Fireworks: High-Scoring Thrillers, Record Totals, and White-Ball Aggression (2021-2024)
From 2021 Lahore thrillers to 2024 Centurion chases, Pakistan and South Africa delivered pure T20 chaos. High totals soared past 200, with Reeza Hendricks’ masterclass and Pakistan’s explosive batting fueling aggressive duels. Rain-interrupted World Cup clashes in 2022 saw Pakistan dominate via DLS, while series wins swung wildly—home crowds roared for Babar and Rizwan’s anchors against Rabada’s pace heat. Sledging intensified, fans traded fiery memes, and every match packed boundaries, death-over drama, and record aggregates that redefined white-ball aggression in this rivalry.
| Category | Highlight | Details | Match Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 210/3 (South Africa) | Reeza Hendricks 117* (off 63, 10×4, 6×6) blazing chase; highest in rivalry history | 2nd T20I, Dec 13, 2024, Centurion – SA chased 207 in 19.3 overs, won by 7 wkts |
| Highest Chase | 210/3 (South Africa, chasing 207) | Hendricks’ unbeaten ton + Markram support; 19.3 overs, RR 10.77 | 2nd T20I, 2024 – Epic high-scorer, 416 runs combined, record aggregate for Pak-SA T20I |
| Best Batting Innings | 117* (Reeza Hendricks) | 63-ball fireworks, SR 185.71; pulled off massive chase under lights | 2nd T20I, 2024 – Silenced Pakistan bowlers, fastest rivalry century tone-setter |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/22 (Shaheen Shah Afridi) | Early swing demolished top order; economical powerplay strangle | Key 2021-22 spells – Often turned games, like in WC 2022 pressure |
| Top Run-Scorer | Babar Azam (Pakistan) – Across 2021-24 series | Consistent 100+ runs in key innings; anchors amid aggression | Multiple series – Poise vs SA pace, SR 130+, set up big totals |
| Most Wickets | Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – Cluster of spells | Pace venom in death; key breakthroughs in chases | 2021-24 duels – Outfoxed middle order repeatedly with yorkers |
| Key Moment | Shadab Khan’s Late Sixes | 52 off 22 (2022 WC); 177-run stand with Nawaz turned 43/4 into 185/9 | 36th Match T20 WC, Nov 3, 2022, Sydney – DLS win by 33 runs, Pakistan’s revival |
| Record Spark | Highest Match Aggregate | 416 runs (Pak 206/5 + SA 210/3) | 2nd T20I, 2024 Centurion – Second-highest in rivalry, pure batting carnage |
| Fastest Fifty in Era | Mohammad Haris / Others (close calls) | Explosive starts hinted; Hendricks’ rapid 50 en route to 117* | 2024 series – Powerplay blitzes set aggressive tone, SR 200+ bursts |
| Fan Aggression Highlight | Centurion Crowd Roar | SA fans erupted post-Hendricks ton; social media wars #PAKvSA trending | 2024 tour – Home dominance revenge after 2021 Lahore losses |
| Tactical Gem | Pakistan’s Spin Trap in WC | Nawaz + Shadab strangled SA in rain-reduced chase; 108/9 in 14 overs | T20 WC 2022 – Mind games won it, exposing SA middle-order fragility |
| Pressure Play | Last-Over Drama in Lahore | Rizwan/Nawaz held nerves for tight wins; 3-run & 4-wkt thrillers | 2021 series deciders – Fans on edge, pitch invasions, pure rivalry fire |
| Interesting Stat | Most Sixes in Key Match | 20+ combined in 2024 thriller; big-hitting defined era | 2021-24 – Shift to ultra-aggressive T20, 1000+ runs in major clashes |
The Latest Chapter: Historic Sweeps, Abandoned Epics, and Ongoing Fire (2024-2025)
The rivalry roared on through 2024’s South African tour and 2025’s homecoming series in Pakistan. Proteas swept the 2024 T20Is 2-0 with a rain-abandoned decider, Hendricks’ epic ton sealing dominance amid highveld drama. Then, in Pakistan’s backyard, South Africa struck first with a commanding 55-run win in Rawalpindi, but Pakistan bounced back fiercely—crushing by 9 wickets in Lahore and edging a tense 4-wicket thriller in the decider. Historic home sweep for Pakistan, abandoned epics, and unrelenting aggression kept fans hooked, with boundaries flying and nerves fraying under lights.
| Category | Highlight | Details | Match Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 210/3 (South Africa) | Reeza Hendricks 117* (63 balls, 10×4, 6×6, SR 185.71); van der Dussen 66* | 2nd T20I, Dec 13, 2024, Centurion – Epic chase of 207, series-clinching win by 7 wkts |
| Highest Chase | 210/3 (South Africa, chasing 207) | Hendricks’ maiden T20I ton powered flawless pursuit in 19.3 overs | 2nd T20I, 2024 Centurion – Record aggregate 417 runs, pure fireworks |
| Best Batting Innings | 117* (Reeza Hendricks) | Blistering unbeaten century; silenced Pakistan attack, fastest rivalry ton vibe | 2nd T20I, 2024 – Turned series tide, fan chants echoed through stadium |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/14 (Corbin Bosch) | Devastating seam spell; ripped through top order cheaply | 1st T20I, Oct 28, 2025, Rawalpindi – SA’s 194/9 defended for 55-run win |
| Top Run-Scorer | Saim Ayub (Pakistan) – 108 runs series | Explosive knocks including 37 in loss, anchored chases | 2025 home series – Young gun’s rise vs SA pace |
| Most Wickets | George Linde (South Africa) – Key spells | 3/31 in Rawalpindi; spin control in middle overs | 1st T20I, 2025 – POTM, dismantled Pakistan chase |
| Key Moment | Pakistan’s 9-Wkt Rout | Saim Ayub & opener blitz; chased 111 in 13.1 overs comfortably | 2nd T20I, Oct 31, 2025, Lahore – Revenge spark, series leveled amid roaring crowd |
| Record Spark | Historic Home Sweep | Pakistan won 2-1 in 2025 T20Is; first series win vs SA at home in recent era | Nov 1, 2025, 3rd T20I – 4-wkt thriller clincher, fans invaded pitch in joy |
| Fastest Fifty in Era | Hendricks’ Rapid Build | En route to 117*, quick 50 set aggressive tone | 2024 Centurion – Powerplay dominance, SR bursts over 180 |
| Fan Aggression Highlight | Lahore Decider Frenzy | 25,000+ erupted post-win; #PakSweep trended, memes vs Proteas flew | 2025 series – Home fire turned pressure into triumph |
| Tactical Gem | Pakistan Spin Strangle in Decider | Nawaz/Abrar choked SA to 139/9; low-scoring masterclass | 3rd T20I, Nov 1, 2025 – Mind games won low chase under lights |
| Pressure Play | Abandoned Johannesburg Epic | Rain washed out 3rd T20I; 2-0 SA sweep intact, frustration peaked | Dec 14, 2024 – No-ball drama avoided, but rivalry tension lingered |
| Interesting Stat | Most Runs in Key Clash | 417 combined in Centurion thriller; highest rivalry aggregate ever | 2024 series – Shift to ultra-high scoring, big sixes galore |
Conclusion
This rivalry refuses to fade sweeps, abandoned thrillers, and record aggregates keep the fire burning. Pakistan’s home dominance meets South Africa’s bounce-back spirit, blending explosive batting, lethal pace, and mind games. As fans roar and players push limits, Pakistan vs South Africa remains T20’s ultimate battleground, promising more epic chapters ahead.
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