Pakistan crumble as clinical South Africa win first T20I

South Africa crushed Pakistan in the first T20I with a commanding 55-run victory courtesy of Reeza Hendricks’ classy 60, Corbin Bosch’s career-best 4-14, and a fine all-round performance from George Linde at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Tuesday night.

The win gave the visitors a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. The next two games will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 31 and November 1.

Batting first, South Africa posted 194-9 in their allotted 20 overs, with Hendricks leading the charge through a fluent half-century, supported by George Linde (36), Tony de Zorzi (33), and Quinton de Kock (23).

In reply, Pakistan were bundled out for 139 in 18.4 overs. Medium-pacer Bosch was the chief destroyer with 4-14 in four overs while left-arm spinner Linde chipped in with 3-31 from three.

Pakistan’s batting woes

Chasing a steep target 195-run target, the home team got off to a worst start, managing just 34 runs in the powerplay for the loss of two wickets. Sahibzada Farhan looked in good touch, striking four boundaries in his 19-ball 24 before being bowled by Lizaad Williams in the fifth over, while Saim Ayub struggled to time the ball.

Returning to T20I cricket after a ten-month gap, Babar Azam failed to impress, falling for a duck to Bosch, caught by Hendricks at cover, leaving Pakistan at 33-2. Bosch soon trapped skipper Agha Salman lbw for 2.

Usman Khan and Saim Ayub offered brief resistance, adding 39 runs for the fourth wicket before Linde dismissed Saim for a 28-ball 37 that included four sixes and a four. The dismissal left Pakistan at 82-4 in the 11th over.

Lungi Ngidi then bowled Hasan Nawaz for 3 while Linde struck twice in one over to remove Usman Khan (12) and Faheem Ashraf (1), reducing Pakistan to 89-7 in the 13th over.

Bosch returned to dismiss Shaheen Afridi (4) and Naseem Shah (9) while Williams ended the innings by removing Mohammad Nawaz for 20. Linde and Bosch were well supported by Williams, who finished with 2-21 in 3.1 overs.

Proteas’ batting rampage

After being invited to bat first, South Africa got off to a flying start in front of a packed crowd.

Openers Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock went on an early rampage, producing a flurry of boundaries and adding a brisk 44 runs in just 23 deliveries as Saim Ayub broke the stand after De Kock mistimed a shot at point for a 13-ball 23.

Tony de Zorzi then joined Hendricks, as the visitors ended the power play at the healthy score of 74-1.

The duo went on to add 49 runs off just 23 balls for the second wicket before left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz removed Zorzi for a quick-fire 16-ball 33 as South Africa were 93-2 at that stage. Nawaz continued to bowl superbly, removing Dewald Brevis (9) and Donovan Ferreira (10) to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 26 from his four overs.

Reeza Hendricks anchored the innings with a composed yet enterprising knock, striking five fours and a six in his 40-ball 60. He brought up his 18th T20I fifty off just 33 deliveries before being bowled by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over.

Towards the end, George Linde played a valuable cameo, smashing 36 off 22 balls with four fours and a six, helping South Africa reach 194 for 9.

For Pakistan, Nawaz was the standout bowler, providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. He was well supported by Saim Ayub, who claimed 2 for 31 in his four overs.

Shaheen Afridi (1 for 45 in 4 overs) and Naseem Shah (1 for 34 in 3 overs) proved expensive, while Abrar Ahmed (1 for 42) and Agha Salman (15 runs in one over) proved quite expensive.