DURBAN, South Africa: David Miller’s blistering 82 and George Linde’s late cameo guided South Africa to a competitive total of 183/9 in the opening T20I against Pakistan at Kingsmead Stadium on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first, South Africa suffered a shaky start, losing Rassie van der Dussen for a duck and Matthew Breetzke for just eight runs within the first two overs, leaving the team at 10/2.
Reeza Hendricks and Miller tried to stabilize the innings but could only add 18 runs before Hendricks departed after scoring a modest eight off nine balls.
Taking charge of the innings, Miller unleashed a flurry of boundaries to dominate Pakistan’s bowling attack. The left-hander smashed eight sixes and four fours in his scintillating knock of 82 off just 40 deliveries.
His aggressive batting turned the tide for South Africa, allowing them to recover from their early setbacks.
Miller built quick but one-sided partnerships with Heinrich Klaasen, who contributed 12 runs, and Donovan Ferreira, who added seven, before falling victim to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who emerged as Pakistan’s standout bowler with impressive figures of 3/22 in his four overs.
South Africa appeared to be faltering after Miller’s dismissal, slumping to 141/8 in 16 overs. However, George Linde played a key role in the final overs.
Linde hammered three sixes in the last over bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem, propelling South Africa to a competitive total. Linde’s unbeaten 48 off 24 deliveries, featuring three fours and four sixes, proved vital in boosting the hosts’ innings.
Kwena Maphaka provided solid support with an unbeaten 12, ensuring South Africa finished strongly despite the early setbacks.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling effort with a stellar spell, claiming three wickets while conceding only 22 runs.
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed also picked up three wickets but leaked 37 runs in his four overs. Abbas Afridi contributed with two wickets for 30 runs, while Sufiyan Muqeem grabbed one wicket but struggled with the final over.
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, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.
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
