Skipper Babar Azam made his first international T20 century as Pakistan chased a target of 204 comfortably and a nine-wicket victory against South Africa along with 2 spare overs.

Skipper Babar, who mentioned his fiery century off 50 balls with 11 fours and 4 massive sixes, eventually fell for 122.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan made 73 while fasting and hold the wicket on the other end because the tourists won with 12 balls to spare to require a 2-1 lead within the four-match series.

Aiden Markram made fiery 62 backed by Janneman Malan with 55 runs in South Africa's 203-5 in 20 overs.

Babar, who ended Virat Kohli's 1,258-day reign at the highest of the one-day international batting rankings earlier on Wednesday, had scored four domestic and franchise centuries in T20s, the shortest format of the sport, and his first international ton came in his 48th inning and 50th match.

Babar Azam is now Pakistan's fastest within the format, beating Ahmed Shehzad's 58-ball century against Bangladesh back in 2014.

Babar and Rizwan, who hit five fours and two sixes in his innings, combined superbly to stay Pakistan either with or above the specified run-rate throughout their innings.

The Skipper received criticism for taking 50 balls to attain 50 within the second Twenty20, and he responded in style by scoring his joint-fastest international T20 half-century on 27 balls.

While batting first E Markram and J Malan had shared 108 runs for the opening South Africa wicket, but left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz removed both as Pakistan restricted the hosts to only 8 runs in the 14th and 15th overs to ultimately turn the game in Pakistan's side.

The final game within the series takes place on Friday.