DURBAN – South Africa beat Pakistan by 11-run in the T20I series opener at Kingsmead, Durban on Tuesday.
Chasing a challenging 184-run target for the victory, Pakistan reached 172/8 in the allocated 20 overs.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 74 runs followed by Saim Ayub who made 31. Tayyab Tahir contributed 18. No other batter could enter the double figures as Pakistan fell 12 runs short of the victory target.
George Linde bagged four wickets and Kwena Maphaka took two, while Ottneil Baartman and Andile Simelane took one wicket each. George Linde was named player of the match for his all-round performance.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, South Africa lost three top-order batsmen inside the first four overs with just 28 runs on the board.
David Miller (82) and skipper Heinrich Klaasen (12) put 43 runs together to take the team back on track. George Linde contributed 48 and Kwena Maphaka 12 runs to take the team score to 183/9 in the allocated 20 overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed bagged three wickets each and Abbas Afridi two while Sufiyan Muqeem took one wicket.
South Africa Playing XI: Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Mathew Breetzke, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (c & wk), Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Andile Simelane, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Ottneil Baartman
Pakistan Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufqan Moqim, Abrar Ahmed
Pakistan vs South Africa: Complete schedule of T20Is, ODIs, Tests
