Pakistan pulled a four-wicket triumph against visiting South African team in the last T20 to win the three-match series 2-1 in Lahore on Sunday. Pakistan has also defeated touring Proteas in Test series 2-0 earlier.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ehsan Mani has congratulated the team on victories in the two series.
In the Karachi Test, Babar Azam’s men recovered from 27 for four in the first innings to win by seven wickets, while they took seven wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs with the second new ball in South Africa’s second innings to register a 95-run victory in the Rawalpindi Test.
Mohammad Rizwan became the second Pakistan batsman to hit a T20I century in his side’s three-run victory in the first match, which was followed by South Africa’s six wickets win. In the series finale, Pakistan won by four wickets.
Consequently, following their first Test series win over South Africa in 18 years, Pakistan moved up two places to fifth in the ICC Test Team Rankings, the team’s highest ranking since January 2017.
They have also gained two points to reduce the gap with third-ranked India to seven points on the ICC T20I Team Rankings after the series win.
Victory in the Test series also provided Babar with a winning start to his captaincy tenure, whilst ensuring that Misbah-ul-Haq remained unbeaten in 12 home Test series, whether as a captain or coach.
“I congratulate each and every member of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team and the support staff for their excellent victories in both the Test and T20Is series over South Africa,” he said at the end of the T20I series.
“The manner in which the side bounced back following a disappointing series in New Zealand is admirable and reflects their real character, grit and potential.”
“The success of the team was due to collective and all-round effort which invariably produces positive and strong results.”
“I want to thank and congratulate South Africa for visiting Pakistan and playing competitive cricket. I am confident they will return with happy memories and will not hesitate in sharing their experiences with fellow cricketers. We look forward to welcoming these cricket ambassadors again, be it during the HBL Pakistan Super League or a future bilateral series.”