In the opening T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, South Africa defeated hosts Pakistan by a big margin to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Unfortunately, Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper, could not live up to the expectations in his return to T20I while Reeza Hendricks of the South African team was the main highlight with a stylish fifty which was instrumental in the team's overwhelming win.
Reeza Hendricks leads South Africa’s charge with blistering half-century
Batting first, South Africa scored a very good 194/9 in 20 overs. Quinton de Kock was the main cause for the Proteas' quick start as he hammered 23 off 13 balls, but his opening partner Reeza Hendricks was the one who really made the innings going as he scored 60 off 40 balls with 5 fours and a six. Tony de Zorzi came in and added a quick 33 off 16 balls and George Linde gave the innings some extra momentum with a quick 36 off 22 to take the score close to 200.
For Pakistan, spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the only bright spot in the bowling attack with his economical 3/26 and rest of the bowlers were expensive. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah got one wicket each and part-time bowler Saim Ayub got two important wickets, including one in the powerplay.
Pakistan’s chase started well, as openers Sahibzada Farhan (24 off 19) and Saim Ayub (37 off 28) played aggressively. After their wickets, a collapse followed. Babar Azam’s two-ball duck added to Pakistan’s woes, as the visitors went from 31/0 to 139 all out in 18.1 overs, thus losing the match by 55 runs.
Corbin Bosch was on fire with the ball and took 4/14 in four overs to tear through Pakistan’s batting lineup. George Linde got to the bowling as well with 3/31, while Lungi Ngidi and Lizaad Williams combined for the other wickets to complete a comfortable win for the visitors.
