Lahore, November 02, 2025 – With their backs against the wall, Pakistan has made a bold selection call, dropping pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, as they gear up for a must-win second T20I against a confident South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. A loss in this match would hand the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Team News: Major Shake-up in Pakistan Camp
After a comprehensive defeat in the series opener in Rawalpindi, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has opted for a significant change in strategy. The decision to leave out the experienced Shaheen Afridi, who conceded 45 runs in his four overs in the first match, is a major talking point. He has been replaced by fellow left-arm pacer Salman Mirza, who brings a promising T20I record into the side.
The pressure will be firmly on the Pakistani batting lineup, particularly on local hero Babar Azam, who will be desperate to make an impact after scoring a duck in his T20I comeback match.
South Africa Stick to Winning Formula
The visitors, in contrast, have opted for stability with just one change. They have brought in seamer Ottneil Baartman for Lizaad Williams, bolstering an attack that successfully defended 194 in the first match. Their batting unit, which fired collectively in Rawalpindi, remains unchanged, leaving no room for Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
The Stakes: A Do-or-Die Encounter for Pakistan
- For Pakistan: This is a must-win game to keep the series alive. Another poor performance, especially at home, will intensify scrutiny on the team’s strategy and the form of its senior players.
- For South Africa: A victory would secure a memorable series win with a game to spare, validating their decision to send a new-look squad and building immense confidence for the final match.
Toss and Pitch
Pakistan has won the toss and elected to bowl first for the second consecutive time in the series. The decision suggests a belief in chasing under the Lahore lights, but it also puts immediate pressure on their revamped bowling attack to deliver.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (capt), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
The stage is set for a high-pressure encounter in Lahore. Can Pakistan’s bold team selection pay off, or will South Africa’s cohesive unit seal the series?
