George Linde Shines as South Africa Crush Pakistan in Rawalpindi
It was a historic evening in Rawalpindi as South Africa pulled off a commanding win over Pakistan in the second T20I of their 2025 tour. The visitors didn’t just win — they made history. Their total of 194 for 9 equaled the highest-ever men’s T20I score recorded at the venue, and their dismissal of Pakistan for just 139 marked the first time in completed matches that the team batting first had triumphed here. This was South Africa’s biggest win over Pakistan in T20 internationals, and much of the credit went to one man — George Linde.
For those who’ve followed his career, Linde is often the quiet achiever — rarely loud, but always effective when given a chance. This time, he didn’t just make an appearance; he owned the stage. It was in Rawalpindi, back in February 2021, that Linde’s Test career seemed to stall. Despite taking 5 for 64 in that match, South Africa lost the series, and he drifted out of Test contention. But Tuesday night felt like redemption.
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Walking in after 14 overs, with the innings at a crossroads at 139 for 5, Linde initially looked cautious. His first nine balls produced only seven runs. But then came the turnaround. Facing Shaheen Shah Afridi, he smashed three consecutive boundaries — one off the edge, one drilled through the covers, and one lofted over point. Even a dropped catch from Babar Azam at long-on added insult to Pakistan’s injury, gifting another four runs. Linde’s aggressive streak continued against Abrar Ahmed, whose first ball he slog-swept over fine leg for a six. His 36 off 22 balls brought the spark South Africa needed to post 194 — a total that looked solid, even on a traditionally high-scoring ground.
Linde’s all-round brilliance didn’t stop there. When it was time to bowl, he delivered again, claiming three crucial wickets — including Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, and Faheem Ashraf — within a span of just five balls. Supported by Lizaad Williams and Corbin Bosch, who shared six wickets between them, Pakistan’s chase crumbled early. They were 89 for 7 inside 13 overs and bundled out in the 19th for just 139.
After the match, Linde admitted that the pitch wasn’t behaving as expected. “We know it’s usually a high-scoring ground, but we felt the pitch didn’t play the same. Still, we knew if we bowled well, we could defend it,” he said.
It’s worth noting that Linde’s return to the South African lineup has been a long one. His last appearance before 2024 came over three years earlier, but each comeback has been marked by standout performances — like his 48 off 24 and 4 for 21 against Pakistan in December 2024. Tuesday’s match was yet another reminder of his potential.
For South Africa, this victory wasn’t just about numbers or records — it was about seizing moments. And for George Linde, it was the perfect day to remind the world that good players don’t fade away; they simply wait for the right opportunity to shine.
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