RAWALPINDI: South Africa made a triumphant start to the T20I series against the hosts Pakistan with a comprehensive 55-run victory here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Set a daunting 195-run target, Pakistan’s batting line faltered and were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs.
Sahizbada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a good start with a 31-run stand in 4.5 overs. Farhan was bowled after making 24 from 19, whereas Saim got going after being dropped for nought earlier in the innings.
Once Farhan departed, the Proteas bowler tore through the home side’s middle order. Babar Azam could do much on his return to the shorter format, as he was caught for a duck.
Salman Ali Agha followed him after and could only manage two. Consequently, the Green Shirts were reduced to 3-43 in 7.2 overs.
Following the early hiccups, Saim then partnered with Usman Khan for a 39-run partnership. The duo’s brief stand somehow managed to arrest the slide.
Pakistan were gaining momentum; however, Saim’s wicket sparked a collapse that Pakistan could not recover from. The southpaw went back after scoring 37 from 28 balls, studded with a boundary and four sixes.
As a result, the home side slumped to 89-7 in 12.5 overs and were bowled out for a mere score.
For South Africa, Corbin Bosch starred with the ball, scalping four wickets in his quota of four overs. George Linde was equally good with three wickets.
Earlier, Reeza Hendricks’ 60 from 40 balls powered South Africa to a strong total.
Put in to bat, South Africa put on a strong batting display, racking up 194-9 in their 20 overs.
Openers Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks were off to a flyer, posting 44 in just 3.5 overs. The former rolled back the clock with his elegant stroke play, while the latter rose to the occasion with fine shots.
The dangerous stand eventually culminated in the introduction of Saim Ayub, removing De Kock after scoring 23 off 12 with the aid of five cracking fours.
Despite the wicket, the Proteas continued on their merry way with Tony de Zorzi taking Pakistani bowlers to the cleaners. The left-hander belted Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed for five fours and ended the powerplay with his side 74-1.
However, once Mohammad Nawaz was introduced into the attack, the scoring rate went down, and De Zorzi was stumped due to a clever piece of bowling. He made 33 from 16, striking five fours and a maximum. As a result, South Africa were 2-93 in 7.4 overs.
Mohammad Nawaz kept mounting pressure with an excellent bowling spell. He cut through the Proteas’ middle order, which pegged them back and allowed Pakistan to squeeze their scoring rate.
However, Hendricks held the innings together and struck a half-century, with wickets tumbling around him. He hit five fours and a six in his knock.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz remained the standout bowler, picking up three wickets in his quota of four overs.
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