Killer Miller “destroyed” Pakistan this time. His eight sixes wreaked havoc on their bowling lineup. Joining him was George Linde, who delivered an impressive all-round performance with both bat and ball. Mohammad Rizwan’s valiant effort went in vain.
On Tuesday in Durban, South Africa defeated Pakistan by 11 runs in the first T20I of the series. After winning the toss, South Africa posted 183 for 9. In reply, the visitors could only manage 172 for 8.
Opting to bat at Kingsmead, South Africa stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 28 runs in the first four overs. Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, and Matthew Breetzke all failed to reach double figures. However, a 43-run stand for the fourth wicket between Miller and Heinrich Klaasen steadied the innings.
Klaasen departed for 12 runs, which included a six. Donovan Ferreira couldn’t stay long either, scoring just 7. Miller, on the other hand, held one end firmly and kept the innings alive. He reached his fifty in just 28 balls, smashing Abrar Ahmed for three consecutive sixes in the 10th over.
Miller’s onslaught ended at 13.5 overs when he was caught by Irfan off Shaheen Afridi for a blistering 82 off 40 balls. South Africa, who lost a couple more wickets in between, were at 141 for 8 after 16 overs.
Thanks to Linde, South Africa managed to reach 183. He built a crucial partnership with Kewan Maphaka for the ninth wicket. Before getting dismissed on the last ball of the innings, Linde scored a quickfire 48 off 24 balls, while Maphaka added 12 runs.
Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed claimed three wickets each for Pakistan.
In pursuit of 184, Pakistan lost Babar Azam early, as the former skipper was dismissed for a duck. However, Rizwan and Saim Ayub added 40 runs for the second wicket. Ayub scored 31 off 15 balls before getting out.
Usman Khan couldn’t hold his ground, and Tayyab Tahir managed 18 runs off 18 balls. Rizwan, anchoring one end, kept Pakistan in the hunt. By the 17th over, Pakistan had reached 151, leaving them needing 33 runs in the last three overs.
In the final over, the equation came down to 19 runs. Rizwan, the key to Pakistan’s hopes, was dismissed by Maphaka after scoring 74 off 62 balls, dashing Pakistan’s chances. Their innings ended at 172.
Linde was the star with the ball as well, taking 4 wickets for 21 runs.
