JOHANNESBURG – Pakistan on Saturday defeated host team South Africa by four wickets in the first T20I played at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
South Africa had set a target of 189 runs for Pakistan to win the the match. However, Shaheens with majestic performance by Mohammad Rizwan achieved it in 19.5 overs.
Pakistan win the first #SAvPAK T20I by 4 wickets
Scorecard: https://t.co/ot8O8oRMfO
#HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/q1jBLixx8A
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 10, 2021
Skipper Babar Azam could make only 14 runs while Fakhar Zaman also could not continue the momentum in the shortest format of the cricket as he was sent to pavilion at 27 runs.
Winning moments! 🙌#SAvPAK | #HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/qt1EFVItEy
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 10, 2021
Mohammad Hafeez, who completed his 100 T20 matches today scorer of T20, made only 13 runs that help him to dethrone Shoaib Malik as Pakistan’s leading scorer in T20.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/10-Apr-2021/muhammad-hafeez-dethrones-shoaib-malik-as-pakistan-s-leading-run-scorer-in-t20i
Earlier today, Proteas won the toss and elected to bat first.
Pakistan’s bowling line took a good start as Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket each to reduce South Africa to 37/2 after five overs.
South Africa’s Aiden Markram (51), Heinrich Klaasen (50) and Pite van Biljon (34) remained top scorers of their team as no other players could cross the 30-run mark.
This is the start of a four-match T20I series with two games scheduled to take place at the Wanderers Stadium after which the rest will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Green Shirts hope to carry forward their winning momentum from the One Day International (ODI) series.
South Africa win the toss and elect to bat first!#SAvPAK | #HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/SSg3DGgodb
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 10, 2021
Meanwhile, South Africa enters the series after stirring controversy as five key players will miss the series in order to play Indian Premier League franchises.
On the other hand, all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will become the second Pakistani player and sixth overall to feature in 100 T20Is when he takes the field today.
Mohammad Hafeez to play his 100th T20I tomorrow against South Africa, let’s recap some typically stylish @MHafeez22 strokeplay and bowling! #FlashbackFriday pic.twitter.com/wThHIlZoRd
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 9, 2021
Pakistan Squad
Babar Azam (Captain), Arshad Iqbal, Asif Ali, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sharjeel Khan and Usman Qadir.
South Africa Squad
Heinrich Klaasen (Captain, wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Wiaan Mulder, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne, Pite van Biljon, Daryn Dupavillon, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams and Wihan Lubbe
Series schedule
April 10 — 1st T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
April 12 — 2nd T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
April 14 — 3rd T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria
April 16 — 4th T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria
Fakhar Zaman sets new ODI record, leaves behind Zaheer Abbas, Babar Azam
