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New Delhi: In his T20I comeback, Babar Azam was dismissed for a two-ball duck as Pakistan slumped to a 55-run loss against South Africa in the first match of a three-game series in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Pakistan invited South Africa to bat and conceded 194 for nine in 20 overs before being bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs.
South Africa opener Reeza Hendricks struck 60 from 40 balls and his opening partner Quinton de Kock (23 from 13 balls) gave them a fast start before debutant Tony de Zorzi produced a quickfire 33 from 16 deliveries and all-rounder George Linde contributed 36 from 22.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the most successful bowler with 3-26 in four overs.
In their reply, Pakistan were never able to build momentum in the chase with only Saim Ayub scoring a brisk 37 off 28 balls.
The hosts couldn't unshackle from a tight leash by the South African seamers as Babar Azam spooned a catch a cover off Corbin Bosch in his first T20I since December last year.
Bosch took a career-best 4-14 in four overs while spinner George Linde claimed 3-31 for South Africa, who become the first team to win a T20I batting first in Rawalpindi.
"I'm very proud of the team effort over there. I think it was a collective effort," South Africa skipper Donovan Ferreira said after the match.
"You know, we started really well in the powerplay with the bat and then finished off the innings really well with George Linde striking the ball nicely at the end there and then really kept it simple with the ball, just trying to hit top of off, you know, saw what they were doing and what was working on the wicket and yeah, it's just really keeping it nice and simple."
The second match of the series will be held in Lahore on Friday, before the third and final match at the same venue on Saturday.
