South Africa made a commanding start to their tour of Pakistan with a 55-run victory in the first T20I at Rawalpindi on Wednesday, powered by Reeza Hendricks’s half-century and a ruthless display from their bowlers.

After being sent in to bat, the Proteas set an imposing total of 194/9. Hendricks anchored the innings with a well-constructed 60 off 40 balls, while Tony de Zorzi provided early momentum with a quick-fire 33 from 16 deliveries. George Linde chipped in with a valuable 36 off 22 as South Africa’s middle order counter-attacked against Pakistan’s spinners. Mohammad Nawaz offered some resistance with the ball, claiming 3 for 26 to stem the scoring in the closing overs.

Pakistan’s chase faltered from the outset when Babar Azam fell for a second-ball duck. Saim Ayub’s 37 and Nawaz’s 36 kept the scoreboard moving, but neither could prevent a collapse as Corbin Bosch tore through the batting lineup, taking 4/14 in a fiery four-over spell while Linde returned to add 3/31. Linde’s all-round performance saw him named man-of-the-match.

Pakistan were all out for 139.

The result handed South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and reaffirmed their growing depth in white-ball cricket. Pakistan, meanwhile, face mounting pressure to find form with both bat and ball before the next match, scheduled for Friday at the same venue.