KEY POINTS
- Mohammad Nawaz led Pakistan’s bowling with 3 wickets for 26 runs, while Saim Ayub supported with 2 wickets.
- Despite a half-century from Hendricks, South Africa’s middle order faltered as Pakistan tightened the screws in the final overs.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Pakistan’s bowlers mounted a spirited comeback to restrict South Africa to 194/9 in their allotted 20 overs in the first T20I of the three-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite a half-century from Reeza Hendricks and a strong start from the Proteas, Pakistan’s bowlers tightened the screws in the final overs to keep the visitors from posting a daunting total.
South Africa’s Solid Start
South Africa were off to a blistering start, as opening pair Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks put on 44 runs in just four overs.
De Kock’s aggressive 23 off 13 balls, including five fours, set the tone early, but Pakistan struck back when Saim Ayub dismissed him on the penultimate ball of the fourth over, giving Pakistan their first breakthrough.
Hendricks and de Zorzi’s Contribution
With de Kock back in the hut, Hendricks, joined by debutant Tony de Zorzi, continued the charge. The two put together a crucial 49-run partnership for the second wicket, but their progress was halted when de Zorzi was dismissed for a blistering 33 off 16 balls by Mohammad Nawaz in the eighth over.
The debutant’s quickfire knock, which included five fours and a six, gave South Africa the early momentum they needed.
Pakistan Fight Back
Following de Zorzi’s departure, South Africa’s middle order struggled to consolidate, losing wickets at regular intervals. Dewald Brevis (9) and Matthew Breetzke (1) fell shortly after, both falling to Nawaz and Ayub respectively.
Hendricks, who had been anchoring the innings, found some support from Donovan Ferreira (10) as the two put together a 27-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
The partnership was broken by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over, with Hendricks’s valuable knock of 60 runs off 40 balls coming to an end. His innings included five fours and a six, and he remained the top scorer for South Africa.
Late Flurry from Linde and Dismissals in Final Overs
South Africa’s hopes of reaching a competitive total were revived briefly by George Linde, who played a quickfire knock of 36 off 22 balls, including four fours and a six. However, Naseem Shah dismissed him in the 19th over, and the lower order crumbled under pressure.
In the final over, Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a pinpoint yorker to dismiss Corbin Bosch (7) and kept the runs under control, conceding just six runs in the over.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
Pakistan’s bowlers were excellent in the death overs, with Mohammad Nawaz leading the charge, claiming 3 wickets for just 26 runs in his four overs.
Saim Ayub backed him up with 2 wickets for 31 runs, while Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi all picked up a wicket each, contributing to a well-rounded team effort.
South Africa’s Total
South Africa managed 194/9 in their 20 overs, with a good start undone by regular wickets in the middle and late overs.
Despite a strong opening partnership and Hendricks’s valiant half-century, Pakistan’s bowlers managed to keep the Proteas below the 200-run mark.
Pakistan’s Chase Awaits
With 195 runs required to win, Pakistan will now look to chase down the target in the second innings. The game is poised to be an exciting contest, with both teams having had their moments in the match.
The target of 195 may be challenging, but with Pakistan’s powerful batting lineup, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shan Masood, the chase promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the first T20I.
