Hosts South Africa put on a show with the bat having opted to bat first after winning the toss. Their opener Aiden Markram (51 off 32) and stand-in captain Heinrich Klassen (50 off 28) scored half-centuries each as they carried South Africa to a commendable total of 188/6 in 20 overs. Pite van Biljon too contributed with the bat scoring a 24-ball 34 that included 2 sixes. Among Pakistan bowlers, Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali bagged 2 wickets each while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf accounted for a wicket each.
During the chase, Pakistan were on the back foot until the 6th-wicket stand between Mohammad Rizwan (74 off 50) and Faheem Ashraf (30 off 14). The duo scored 48 runs from just 24 deliveries for the 6th wicket during the death overs to take them closer to the target. Though Faheem departed with 9 more runs needed for victory, Pakistan romped home with 4 wickets in hand and a delivery to spare in their innings. Beuran Hendricks was the pick of the South African bowlers with 3 wickets from his 4 overs.
Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan has been adjudged as the Player of the Match for his match-winning half-century with the bat. With this victory, Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the 4-match T20I series. The second T20I of the series is scheduled to be played at the same venue (Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg) on Monday (Apr 12).
Brief Scores: Pakistan – 189/6 in 19.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan – 74, Faheem Ashraf – 30, Beuran Hendricks – 3/32, Beuran Hendricks – 3/32, Tabraiz Shamsi – 2/29) defeated South Africa – 188/6 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram – 51, Heinrich Klassen – 50, Mohammad Nawaz – 2/21, Hasan Ali – 2/28) by a margin of 4 wickets
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