Pakistan in South Africa, 3 T20I Series, 2019
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Date & Time: 01 February 2019
RR: 9.3 | South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 runs
Man of the Match - David Miller for his spectacular game-changing efforts on the field. 4 catches and 2 run outs, a record for South Africa.
Earlier in the evening, the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first. South Africa, on the back of two big innings from Faf du Plessis and Reeza Hendricks reached 192. They could have had a lot more if not for the splendid death-over bowling from Pakistan. 193 was still going to be a stiff target and even though the away team tried their best, they fell short by six. Their 9-game winning streak in T20Is is snapped thus. David Miller had an exceptional night on the field as he effected 6 dismissals - 2 run outs and 4 catches which is the most by any South African outfielder in T20Is. Andile Phehlukwayo picked up only one wicket but bowled an economical spell in a game where the run rate was well above 9. A small difference in the end between these two sides and one will hope for such games in the next two matches as well.
That is that! It was an amazing game of cricket in the end. What entertainment here at Newlands, Cape Town. Pakistan usually implode but tonight they never gave up. They lost a lot of wickets but they kept coming back and they kept trying hard. In the end though, the total was just too far away from them. South Africa just about held their nerve and a brilliant last over from Morris sealed the deal for them. The run chase began poorly for Pakistan but then came a good 81-run stand for the second wicket between Hussain Talat and Babar Azam. The latter was especially in good touch as he made 38. They both fell in quick succession though and the hosts were back on top. Shoaib Malik then walked in and kept the away team in the hunt even as wickets fell around him. When he fell for 49 in the final over, that was when Pakistan's hope really got broken. A really good game of T20 cricket thus, but a fair result in the end, the hosts just about deserved to win this.
Usman Khan is the last man in.
16 needed from the final over. Chris Morris has the ball in his hand. His last over went for 14. So, pressure is on him as well. Shoaib Malik is on strike.
Shadab Khan walks out at number 10. Junior Dala to bowl the 19th over.
Hasan Ali comes in next. Beuran Hendricks is back on.
What has happened here? Confusion, confusion but we are going upstairs for a run out after a direct hit at the non-striker's end. Has greed caused a loss here for Pakistan?
Mohammad Rizwan is next to bat.
Andile Phehlukwayo comes back on now.
Last five overs coming up. This is the stage when the Pakistani bowlers pulled things back. Can their batters do the same? 61 needed off 30 balls.
Some sombre looking Pakistani fans in the stands now...
Faheem Ashraf walks in at number 7.
Imad Wasim arrives. He has a SR of 152 in T20Is. Pakistan need that power-hitting tonight. Tabraiz Shamsi is back on as well.
Chris Morris is back on.
Asif Ali gets a promotion. Junior Dala is back on as well.
Babar had backed away quite far away and Miller scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. Looks very confident and Babar is walking off... The umpire has taken it upstairs though.
Birthday boy, Shoaib Malik is next to the crease.
Tabraiz Shamsi to bowl.
Run out appeal, and the square leg umpire has taken it upstairs just to be sure maybe. The batsman looked easily inside to the naked eye.
Andile Phehlukwayo is brought into the attack.
Big shout for an lbw! Not given and Faf du Plessis takes the DRS. Missing leg?
A change of ends here for Hendricks.
Chris Morris is now on.
Babar requires some medical attention here and the magic spray is out. Should be okay to continue...
Junior Dala to operate from the other end.
Hussain Talat comes in at no.3.
Back for the run chase. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam are the openers for Pakistan. Beuran Hendricks with the new ball for the hosts.
We have had an amazing game to start off this T20I series. Hopefully, it is a prequel for the ones to follow. We are signing off now but we will hope to see you for the next game at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. That one will begin at 1430 local (1230 GMT). Till then, take care and cheers!