Captain Babar Azam hit a record-breaking 122 to lead Pakistan to a commanding nine-wicket victory over hosts South Africa at Centurion on Wednesday and a 2-1 lead in the four-match T20 series.
Mohammad Rizwan scored an unbeaten 73 as he and Azam, whose century came off 49 balls, shared a record 197-run partnership in a devastating display of batting that enabled the touring side to reel in South Africa’s competitive 203-5 with ease.
They won with two overs to spare after making 205-1, dispatching the home bowling to all corners of the ground.
Azam's record T20 score for Pakistan, including 15 fours and four sixes off 59 balls, came on a day when he became the top ranked one-day batsman. He is third in the T20 rankings and played an innings of finesse and guile rather than bludgeoning shots to underline his class.
Rizwan’s knock was overshadowed by his skipper but he was equally brilliant in a supporting role.
It was the second highest successful run chase in a T20 international at Centurion with a tiring Azam eventually out caught behind off the bowling of Lizaad Williams.
As expected, Azam was elated at the end of an extremely successful day.
"I had been waiting for this for a long time, I had planned for a long time, and today Allah has given me a chance to finish it. Rizwan bhai also played an outstanding innings. He was fasting [for Ramadan], and he batted and he kept wickets, and he was outstanding," Azam said.
"I also achieved a dream in one-day cricket today [of top ranking]. I struggled hard, there was a lot of hard work that went into it. I keep trying to learn and add new things to my game, and I will keep trying to do the same."
Earlier, Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram shared a 108-run opening wicket partnership as South Africa got off to a flying start after being put into bat.
Markram made a half century for a third successive game before being bowled for 63 and Malan scored 55.
The last match of the series and Pakistan's tour will also be played at Centurion, on Friday.
