South Africa Crush Pakistan In First T20i in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Reeza Hendricks played a solid anchoring knock while Corbin Bosch starred with the ball as South Africa outclassed Pakistan by 55 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing a challenging target of 195, Pakistan’s batting lineup once again faltered and could only manage 139 runs before being bowled out in 18.1 overs.

Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub gave Pakistan a cautious start with a 31-run stand before Farhan, who was the more aggressive of the two, was bowled by Lizaad Williams for 24 off 19 balls, hitting four boundaries.

The innings then collapsed quickly as Babar Azam — making his T20I return — fell for a two-ball duck to Bosch, who went on to remove skipper Salman Ali Agha (2) in his next over, leaving Pakistan reeling at 43 for 3 in the eighth over.

Saim Ayub tried to counterattack and keep the chase alive with some crisp hitting, but his efforts were cut short when George Linde dismissed him for 37 off 28 balls, which included four towering sixes and a boundary.

After Ayub’s departure, Pakistan’s lower order failed to offer much resistance. Despite Mohammad Nawaz’s fighting cameo of 36 off just 20 balls, laced with four fours and two sixes, the team folded well short of the target.

Bosch was the pick of South Africa’s bowlers with figures of 4 for 22, while Linde claimed 3 wickets and Williams added 2.

Earlier, after being put in to bat, South Africa posted a commanding total of 194 for 9 in their 20 overs, thanks to strong contributions from the top and middle order.

Openers Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks gave the visitors a blazing start, racing to 44 inside four overs. Saim Ayub provided the breakthrough by removing de Kock for 23 off 13 balls (five fours).

Debutant Tony de Zorzi joined Hendricks and continued the momentum with a fluent 33 off just 16 balls, hitting five fours and a six, before falling to Nawaz.

The Proteas then lost a couple of quick wickets as Dewald Brevis (9) and Matthew Breetzke (1) departed cheaply. However, Hendricks held firm, adding useful partnerships with Donovan Ferreira (10) and George Linde (36) to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Hendricks was eventually bowled by Abrar Ahmed after scoring a well-crafted 60 off 40 deliveries, featuring five fours and a six. Linde followed soon after, dismissed by Naseem Shah for 36 off 22 balls.

Shaheen Afridi bowled a tight final over, conceding only six runs and picking up Bosch’s wicket to restrict South Africa just under the 200 mark.

For Pakistan, Nawaz impressed with 3 for 26 in his four overs, while Saim Ayub grabbed 2 wickets. Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi chipped in with one each.

South Africa now lead the three-match series 1-0, with the next game scheduled in Rawalpindi.