The decision to bat first in their first T20I of the series backfired initially after Pakistan made early inroads by dismissing the Proteas top three. Unbothered by the early hiccups, David Miller counter-punched the visitors to propel to a 43-run powerplay. With Heinrich Klaasen at the other end, South Africa fetched 71 runs on board halfway through the ninth over before the skipper holed out in the deep. While Donovan Ferreira failed to flourish, Linde played second fiddle to Miller’s 40-ball 81 blitzkrieg before switching gears during the slog overs. Despite losing wickets, Linde’s 48-run cameo at 200 Strike rate jabbed South Africa’s total to 183/9 in 20 overs.
In response, Pakistan lost the wicket of Babar Azam in the third over before Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub added 40 runs together. Usman Khan followed suit with the young southpaw in a space of 18 balls before Tayyab Tahir and Rizwan struggled to accelerate against the Proteas spinners and medium pacers. It was Ottneil Baartman who removed Tahir for a run-a-ball 18 before Rizwan and Shaheen tried to bring back the lost momentum in Pakistan’s favour. With the score reading 111/4. 37 runs came off the next over including 24 off Kwena Maphaka’s 17th, curtailing the equation down to 36 needed off 18 balls. However, an economical over and three wickets shifted the momentum in Proteas’ favour with the Men in Green requiring 31 off the last ten balls. A couple of fours from Rizwan followed, curtailing the equation to 19 needed off the last over before the keeper-batter was outdone by a bouncer in the last over. With 18 needed from the last four, the visitors succumbed to a eleven-run defeat as South Africa earn 1-0 lead in the ongoing series.
Wicket number 2 for Maphaka 🥹🔥#SAvsPAK
— guluva. (@iam_omogolo) December 10, 2024
Riz, you fought till end !✌🏻 #SAvsPAK #PakistanCricket #BabarAzam𓃵 #SavsPak
— zoia zahid (@zoia_zahid) December 10, 2024
He is still learning a lot tho!
LOL!
South africa – C beating full strength pakistan team lets laugh on them 😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣#SAvspak #BabarAzam
— Nilesh Ghodela Kumawat (@neil_Ghodela_28) December 10, 2024
Thank you. Good game. Rizwan almost stole the show.
— Thabo Moroke (@thabo_moroke) December 10, 2024
He fought well!
Why?
Shameless innings.
Rizwan & babar should be kicked from T20s & rameez should never be called for commentary.— Taimur (@ItsGhostPK) December 10, 2024
SA won first T20 by 11 runs🫡#PAKvsSA
— Rubab🇵🇰 (@RubabUme24232) December 10, 2024
Great win!
No comments!
This picture sums up the mentality of this team,they’re literally appreciating his knock😡🤬🖐️#SAvsPAK | #Rizwan | #SAvPAK | pic.twitter.com/2qsRNpgM2X
— 𝘼𝙗𝙙𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 (@was_abdur) December 10, 2024
