Series Showdown: Pakistan vs South Africa 3rd T20I Preview – Lahore Hosts Decisive Finale
The three-match T20I series has reached a gripping climax as Pakistan and South Africa face off in the winner-takes-all third T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. With the series perfectly poised at 1-1, both teams are desperate to claim the trophy in this final showdown.
Match Context and Momentum
South Africa drew first blood with a comprehensive win in Rawalpindi, only to be utterly dominated by a clinical Pakistani side in Lahore, led by the batting brilliance of Saim Ayub and the bowling heroics of Faheem Ashraf. The match turnaround by Pakistan—who leveled the series with a nine-wicket win—sets up an electrifying atmosphere for the decider.
Match Details at a Glance
| Event |
South Africa Tour of Pakistan, 2025 (3rd T20I) |
| Venue |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Date & Time |
Saturday, November 1st, 8:00 PM LOCAL (3:00 PM GMT) |
| Series Status |
Level 1-1 |
Key Player Battles
| Pakistan Focus |
South Africa Focus |
| Saim Ayub (Must replicate his 71* display at the top.) |
Reeza Hendricks (Needs to bounce back after a first-ball duck in the last match.) |
| Babar Azam (Carries momentum after setting the T20I run record.) |
Dewald Brevis (The young gun is the middle order’s most explosive threat.) |
| Faheem Ashraf & Salman Mirza (The new-ball pairing must repeat their devastating spell.) |
Quinton de Kock (The veteran needs a match-winning contribution on return to T20Is.) |
Playing Squads
| Team |
Squad Highlights |
| South Africa |
Donovan Ferreira (c), Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi. |
| Pakistan |
Salman Agha (c), Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed. |
Venue Analysis: Gaddafi Stadium
The Lahore surface has historically favored batting, with the average first-innings score being competitive. However, the last match proved the new ball can be highly effective under lights. The likelihood of dew setting in during the evening means the team batting second might gain a slight advantage, making a strong Powerplay performance crucial for whoever bats first.
For live scores and the ultimate series result, visit the ultimate cricket destination: www.crickethighlights.online
Eman 
ZeeaK 
