Reeza Hendricks’ 18th T20I half-century and Corbin Bosch’s brisk spell with the ball guided the Proteas to a 55-run victory over Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in the first of three T20 Internationals.
Hendricks, perhaps realising the opportunity afforded to him by coach Shukri Conrad in the absence of the rested first-choice openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram, looked crisp right from the outset, employing an ultra-positive approach. What would normally be a back-foot drive through the cover region, the stylish right-hander turned into a back-foot drive over the fielder, showing clear intent to take the attack to the bowlers.
He would go on to strike five fours and one six on his way to a 40-ball 60, helping South Africa post 194/9 — a competitive total after being asked to bat first upon losing the toss in Rawalpindi.
Alongside Hendricks, and playing in only his second match since returning to international cricket, Quinton de Kock showed positive signs during his 13-ball 23. Having looked out of touch in Namibia earlier this month, the left-hander appeared close to his best as he struck five fours in a brisk cameo.
Fifty for Reeza Hendricks! 💥
Powerful, composed, and precise! A commanding knock from our opener, keeping the #TheProteas Men’s innings steady. 👏🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/JmPLy0h7X6
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 28, 2025
When De Kock (23) was dismissed by Saim Ayub (2/31), debutant Tony de Zorzi picked up where his senior left off, ensuring the Proteas maintained pressure on the Pakistan bowling attack.
De Zorzi went on to score 36 off 16 balls, hitting five fours and a massive 90-metre six — making quite the impression with a little over three months to go before the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
All-rounder George Linde, after Mohammad Nawaz (3/26) had kept the Proteas batting unit quiet during the middle overs, stepped up with a valuable 36 off 22 to help South Africa reach a competitive target.
With the ball, the Proteas quicks were equally impressive, despite taking a few blows down the ground early on from Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan (24). The Lungi Ngidi-led attack quickly learned that back-of-a-length deliveries were doing the trick and adapted accordingly.
Williams was the first to strike, clean bowling Farhan, beforen Bosch induced a false stroke from Babar Azam (0) that was comfortably taken by Hendricks at cover.
Bosch went on to claim career-best figures of 4/14, while Williams (2/21), Ngidi (1/35), and spinner Linde (3/31) wrapped up the innings as Pakistan were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs.
Scorecard
South Africa: 194/9 (Reeza Hendricks 60; Mohammad Nawaz 3/26)
Pakistan: 139 all out (Mohammad Nawaz 36; Corbin Bosch 4/14)
South Africa won by 55 runs.
