Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez After Pakistan, now controversy has erupted on social media Embarrassing 55-run defeat to South Africa in the first T20 International. In Rawalpindi. Hafeez, known for his outspoken views, did not mince words when criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the performance of the national team.
Mohammad Hafeez’s sharp tweet targets Pakistan’s standards
Following the defeat, Hafeez took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
“There is nothing wrong with the Pindi pitch, but the obvious difference is the standard of cricket. #PAKvSA. International league vs international team.”
His tweet was clearly a dig at Pakistan’s poor performance, stating that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) often displays a higher standard of cricket than the national team. Fans and analysts immediately reacted, some of whom agreed with Hafeez’s assessment and others accused him of being too harsh on the players.
South Africa defeated Pakistan in the first T20 match
The match was one-sided as South Africa dominated from start to finish. Electing to bat first, the visitors posted a strong score of 194/9, with Reeza Hendricks scoring a brilliant 60, which also included George Linde’s quickfire 36 off 22 balls.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to stem the flow of runs and failed to exert pressure in the middle overs. Although Mohammad Nawaz managed to take three wickets, the visitors maintained control throughout the innings.
In response, Pakistan never gave up its pursuit. former captain Babar Azam was out for a duck on two balls in his comeback gameWhile other batsmen also disintegrated under pressure. The hosts were all out for 139 in just 18.1 overs, giving South Africa a massive 55-run win.
The best performer for South Africa was Corbin Bosch, who destroyed Pakistan’s middle order by taking 4 wickets and ensured the victory.
The defeat exposed recurring weaknesses in Pakistan’s T20 setup – too many dot balls, poor strike rotation and careless shot selection. The team’s inability to adapt to match conditions remains a major concern for the next matches.
Also read: List of most T20I ducks for Pakistan. Babar Azam and Shahid Afridi
Pakistan’s struggle continues in T20 International
Pakistan’s batting problems have been a constant issue in the recent T20 series. Apart from late resistance from all-rounder Nawaz (36 runs off 20 balls), none of the batsmen managed to make a significant impact. South Africa’s bowlers took advantage of Pakistan’s lack of intent and tactical awareness and executed their plans perfectly.
The defeat has intensified calls for introspection within the team setup, with former players and experts urging the PCB to focus on player development, mental toughness and strategic depth.
The second T20 match will be held on October 31 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The visiting team is leading 1-0 in the three-match series, so Pakistan will have to quickly come together and give a strong performance to keep their hopes alive.
Also read: PAK vs SA – Fans mercilessly troll Babar Azam after he gets out for silver duck during T20I comeback
