First Twenty20 International Pak vs SA 2025

 

The first twenty20 international between Pakistan and South Africa was a one sided affair with South Africa winning by 55 runs. Considering Pakistan was at full strength and South Africa had a second string team missing key six regular players this result came as a surprise.

I think Pakistani selectors made the mistake of not selecting Fakhar Zaman and instead selecting Saim Ayub who is badly not in form in international cricket of late. Fakhar Zaman is also a more effective striker of the ball than Saim Ayub. Also the inform Muhammad Rizwan should have been selected instead of tried and tested Usman Khan as wicket keeper batsman. 

In the end what I would like to say is that if Babar Azam starts scoring runs then Pakistan should beat South Africa in atleast one of the remaining two games.

Pakistan vs South Africa Day 4 Second test 2025

 

South Africa won the Second test against Pakistan by 8 wickets to level and draw the test series 1-1. Pakistan collapsed in their second innings to lose this test match scoring only 138. Pakistan has a lot of positives in this series.

They won the first test and that looked like a great all round performance. They had their moments in the second test but couldnt get the last wicket cheaply allowing the Muthusamy and Rabada partnership to flourish. Noman Ali and Asif Afridi's bowling was superb throughout the series. In batting Shan Masood and Babar Azam impressed me throughout the series.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan did pretty well winning one test match against the World test champions South Africa in their home test series.

Pakistan vs South Africa Day 3 Second Test 2025

 

South Africa are in the driving seat in the second test on Day 3 of this test match. South Africa have a lead of 70 runs in this test match with Pakistan on 94 for 4 at stumps. With just 6 wickets remaining and having a lead of just 23 runs Pakistan are in a terrible position in this test match.

South Africa should win this test match on the fourth day as Pakistan  have little chance of coming back in this test match. If Babar Azam and Salman Agha can stay for a long period of time and score a long partnership and if the tail doesnt collapse like they are doing previously then Pakistan has a glimmer of hope.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan squandered an excellent chance of taking the lead against South Africa in this test match.

Pakistan vs South Africa Day 2 2nd test Rawalpindi 2025

 

Pakistan have bounced back on the second day of the second test between South Africa and Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Pakistan took two quick wickets later in the day to ensure that they are right in the game. Asif Afridi the debutant took those wickets.

If Pakistan are to hold upper hand in this test match they must take early wickets on day 3 of the test match otherwise South Africa will take the lead. Pakistan must ensure they either take the lead or limit South Africa to as low lead as possible.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan should take the lead if they bowl well on Day 3 of the test match.

Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd test Day one 2025

 

Pakistan and South Africa test at Rawalpindi is evenly poised and both the teams share equal honors on first day of the second test between South Africa and Pakistan. I still think Pakistan has an advantage in this test match too as South Africa will be batting last in this test match as well. The batting conditions in the fourth innings will be extremely difficult and Pakistan will do well if they can score 350 plus total in their first innings.

Saud Shakeel and Salman Agha partnership will be the key to Pakistan getting that 350 plus total. Keshav Maharaj is looking dangerous and South Africa were clearly missing him in the first test match. I think this test match will be a lot closer as South Africa has strengthened their bowling attack with the inclusion of Marco Jansen and Maharaj.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistani batsmen should take advantage of the better batting conditions in this test match.

Pakistan's victory over South Africa in first test 2025

 

Pakistan defeated South Africa comfortably in the end by 93 runs in the first test. Pakistan were lucky they won the toss and batted first in this test match as batting became more and more difficult and especially very difficult in the fourth innings of the test match.

South African spinners also did well in this test match just like Pakistani spinners like Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. But no spinner proved to be as dangerous and unplayable as Noman Ali. Noman Ali's dismissal of Dewald Brevis was an absolute classic.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistani curators should prepare a similar pitch like in the Lahore test in the Second test at Rawalpindi as well.

Pakistan vs South Africa Day 3 First test 2025

 

Pakistan has lost their advantage on Day 3 of this test match as they batted poorly to score 167 all out to hand South Africa a target of 277 runs to win. The match is evenly poised as South Africa are 51 for two chasing 277 run target and both teams stand an even chance of fifty -fifty percent to win. If Pakistan are able to get either De  Zorzi or Rickleton out early then they stand a good chance of winning. 

Pakistani pacemen are proving to be absolutely ineffective on this pitch and no one is effective in taking wickets for Pakistan except Noman Ali. Noman Ali needs support from the other bowlers if they are to win this test match. 

Pakistan are not so in a good position in order to win this test match because tomorrow will be the deciding fourth day of the match and the pitch would not be the fifth day pitch which becomes extremely difficult for batting.

In the end what I would like to say is that if Noman Ali gets support from other spin bowlers like Sajid Khan and Salman Agha then they should win otherwise South Africa will win the first test.

Pakistan vs South Africa day 2 of First test 2025

 

Pakistan are in a commanding position in the first test match against South Africa and sooner or later they will surely take the lead against South Africa in this test match. Noman Ali backed by Sajid Khan and Salman Agha look to be in good wicket taking form and the pitch is suiting and helping their type of bowling. South Africa replying to Pakistan's total of 378 runs in Day2 of the test match are 216 for 6 with their tailenders exposed.

South Africa are also without their premier batsmen Temba Bavuma in this test match and without Keshav Maharaj their only quality spinner in this test match. With the absence of these quality players and match winners Pakistan definitely have an edge over South Africa in this test match.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan definitely have the ascendancy in this test match as they batted first on this pitch and batting last will be extremely difficult on this pitch as the wicket further deteriorates. 

Pakistan vs South Africa first test at Lahore 2025

 

Pakistan definitely has a chance not only in the test series but in all three series against South Africa at home that is Tests, Twenty20 triangular also involving Afghanistan and later on the ODI series.

In the first test Pakistani curators should prepare a sharp turning pitches as spin bowling is our biggest strength. we have world class spinners in Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. They definitely have the ability to take twenty wickets required to take in order to win a test match. On the otherhand the only quality spinner that South Africa has is Keshav Maharaj. South Africa mainly rely on their pace bowlers to win in test cricket which will be ineffective on Pakistani pitches.

In the end what i would like to say is that with our batting strengthened with the return of Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan Pakistan should win the first test at Lahore starting on October 12.