South Africa edged previous Pakistan by 11 runs in an exhilarating opening T20I of the Pakistan tour of South Africa 2024-25 at Kingsmead, Durban. An all-round efficiency by George Linde, who claimed 4 wickets and scored a quick-fire 48, earned him the Participant of the Match title.
South Africa’s power-packed batting efficiency
Opting to bat first after successful the toss, South Africa had a shaky begin, dropping Rassie van der Dussen for a golden duck within the first over. Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke added minimal contributions, leaving the hosts at 29/3.
David Miller anchored the innings with a scintillating knock of 82 off 40 balls, smashing 4 fours and eight towering sixes. His partnership with Linde, who contributed 48 runs off simply 24 balls, together with 3 fours and 4 sixes, was the turning level. The duo mixed for a 77-run stand that took the workforce to a aggressive complete of 183/9.
Pakistan’s bowlers had combined outcomes. Shaheen Afridi was the choose of the bowlers with figures of three/22, whereas Abrar Ahmed additionally bagged three wickets however was costly, conceding 37 runs in his 4 overs. Abbas Afridi chipped in with two essential wickets, whereas Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Muqeem struggled to maintain the runs in test.
Pakistan falls quick in a spirited chase
Chasing 184, Pakistan’s innings started on a disastrous observe as skipper Babar Azam was dismissed for a four-ball duck. Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with a resilient 74 off 62 balls, together with 5 fours and three sixes, however lacked constant assist from the opposite finish.
Saim Ayub supplied an early spark with a blazing 31 off simply 15 balls, lacing his knock with 7 boundaries. Nonetheless, wickets fell at common intervals, with not one of the middle-order batsmen managing to transform their begins. Tayyab Tahir’s 18 off 18 and Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo of 9 off 6 supplied fleeting hope, however the goal remained out of attain.
George Linde was instrumental with the ball, dismantling Pakistan’s center order with figures of 4/21 in his 4 overs. Kwena Maphaka and Ottniel Baartman supplied essential breakthroughs, whereas Andile Simelane chipped in with a wicket regardless of being costly.
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Key turning factors
- David Miller and George Linde’s partnership: South Africa’s innings revival, pushed by their explosive 77-run stand, supplied the momentum for a aggressive complete.
- George Linde’s bowling brilliance: Linde’s distinctive spell not solely slowed Pakistan’s scoring but additionally dismantled their center order.
- Pakistan’s top-order collapse: The early dismissals of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub’s lack of ability to bat longer proved detrimental to Pakistan’s chase.
With South Africa taking a 1-0 lead within the three-match collection, Pakistan will goal to bounce again within the second T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Friday, December 13. Each groups will look to deal with their shortcomings because the collection progresses.
What a comeback and what a participant he’s!!! George Linde completely deserves this second tonight 🔥🔥🔥🔥
“I am one of the best all rounder within the nation” he as soon as stated and boy has he proven it tonight!!! 👏 👏 👏 #SAvPAK #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/v9pF6XCLIB
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 10, 2024
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