South Africa defeated Pakistan in the first T20 International at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after the hosts failed to chase down a target of 195 runs.

After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to field first, allowing South Africa to post 194 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.

Reeza Hendricks top-scored with 60, while Linde and Zorzi chipped in with 33 runs each. Returning to the side, Quinton de Kock contributed 23 runs.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub claimed three wickets apiece.

In reply, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled, managing only 139 runs.

Captain Babar Azam, playing his comeback match, was dismissed for a duck. Saim Ayub scored 37, Sahibzada Farhan 24, and Usman Khan 12. Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf were all dismissed in single digits.

With this victory, South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series.

Pakistan’s playing XI includes Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.

South Africa are led by Donovan Ferreira, with the squad featuring Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, and Lungi Ngidi.