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Pakistan in South Africa, 3 T20I Series, 2019
South Africa vs Pakistan - 1st T20I
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Date & Time: 01 February 2019
Pakistan 186/9
RR: 9.3 | South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 runs
commentary
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.
19.6
1
C Morris to S Khan, Dropped but that won't matter much. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 6 RUNS! A short of a length ball on middle, Shadab stands back to pull it across the line but it catches the top edge and balloons in the air behind square leg. The keeper sprints across to his left, gets underneath it with a dive but fails to hold on to the catch as he crashes down on the ground. They take a run. Excellent over under pressure by Morris. He is back. The South African players are shaking hands in the middle.
19.5
2
C Morris to S Khan, Just two off the over! All over now for Pakistan, the bowler just needs to stay behind the line on the next ball. Fullish in line, Khan drills it down to long on where Miller makes the stop. Two taken.
19.4
4
C Morris to S Khan, FOUR! Out of nowhere! Fullish and on middle, Shadab gives it the full face of his bat and lifts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
Usman Khan is the last man in.
19.3
0
C Morris to S Malik, OUT! Malik holes out! Morris delivers it fullish and in the line of the stumps, Shoaib clears his front leg and tries to clear long on. But he gets more height than distance on this one and David Miller takes the skier safely. His fourth catch tonight along with two run outs. He has been in the thick of things.
19.2
0
C Morris to S Khan, A cracking yorker, Shadab fails to dig it out and they steal a bye. 14 off 4 balls.
19.1
1
C Morris to S Malik, A low full toss dipping in on middle, Malik swings and sends it to deep mid-wicket. Just a run, the best possible result for South Africa.
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.
18.6
0
J Dala to S Malik, He attempts for the boundary but gets only a single. A length ball with some slowness, Malik fails to connect his shot and gets rapped on his body. The ball rolls to the off side and a leg bye is taken. He will be on strike for the last over, that is the positive for Pakistan.
18.5
4
J Dala to S Malik, FOUR! Junior feeling the heat! Bowls a half-tracker outside off and it is cut away hard through point for an easy boundary. 17 runs now required in 7. Will he go for a boundary or go for a single on the last ball?
18.4
2
J Dala to S Malik, Mistimes the slog now but it is a blessing in disguise as he is able to pick up two runs till mid-wicket can come in and return the ball.
18.3
4
J Dala to S Malik, FOUR! This game is not over yet folks! Not as long as this guy is out there. A quick delivery outside off and Malik swipes through the line but a thick outside edge takes the ball over the keeper's head and to the third man boundary.
18.2
0
J Dala to S Malik, Lovely bowling this! Sees Malik making room and bowls this well outside off on a length and slower in pace. Malik just lets it go as he knows he wouldn't reach the ball. A dot ball.
18.1
2
J Dala to S Malik, Short of a length and coming into the batsman, Shoaib Malik makes room and cuts it to backward point for a couple of runs.
Shadab Khan walks out at number 10. Junior Dala to bowl the 19th over.
17.6
0
B Hendricks to H Ali, OUT! Yet another wicket off the final ball of the over, fifth to be precise. A full length ball around off, slower in pace again, Hasan tries to go straight but fails to middle his aerial shot properly. It loops in the air and Miller takes the simplest of catches at long off. 29 off 12 balls. All up to skipper Shoaib Malik now.
17.5
2
B Hendricks to H Ali, Fullish and around off, Hasan swings his bat across the line and it goes off the inside edge through wide mid on. Two taken.
17.4
2
B Hendricks to H Ali, Tries a yorker but it ends up being a full toss around off. Ali swings it over mid-wicket and returns for the second run.
17.3
6
B Hendricks to H Ali, SIX! That is some strike! Back of a length delivery outside off, at 116 kph, Hasan rocks back, brings his bottom hand into play and dispatches it over long off for a biggie. He can hit long, we all know that.
17.2
1
B Hendricks to S Malik, Misfield but just a run! Short and outside off, Malik slaps it to point where the fielder fumbles and deflects it behind. The sweeper sweeps it off and only a run is possible.
17.1
1
B Hendricks to H Ali, A length ball angling away from the batsman, Hasan pushes at it tamely and it runs down to third man off the outside edge. A single is taken.
Hasan Ali comes in next. Beuran Hendricks is back on.
16.6
1
A Phehlukwayo to S Malik, OUT! Run out! Yes, indeed! Greed has got the better of Rizwan and Pakistan here. A length ball on a slower pace outside off and Malik looks to heave it over long on but only manages to get a top edge. That goes high in the air and to short third man. Beuran Hendricks was settling down under it to take it but loses it in the lights and drops it. He then picks it up and goes for a throw at the striker's end as the batsmen were completing a single. Misses the stumps which would have been out if he had hit. Rizwan runs a long way in his followthrough. But, he has greed in his mind as he looked for an overthrow. Meanwhile, David Miller from deep mid-wicket is charging in to back up and throws the ball at the bowler's end. Scores a direct hit and finds the Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman short of his crease. No third time lucky for Pakistan. Lose their seventh and another one on the last ball of the over. The only positive here is that they have not lost Malik, their last hope. The away team now needs 41 runs off 18 balls.
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?
16.5
4
A Phehlukwayo to S Malik, FOUR! This was a nothing ball and deservedly punished. A slower ball, a half-tracker outside off and Malik had all the time in the world to cut it away to the boundary. Pakistan need more of these though.
16.4
1
A Phehlukwayo to M Rizwan, Shorter this time but slower in pace once more. Rizwan pulls it away to deep backward square leg for a single.
16.3
1
A Phehlukwayo to S Malik, A slower one outside off once more, Malik cuts with a horizontal bat to deep point for a single.
16.2
1
A Phehlukwayo to M Rizwan, Off the mark straightaway with a driven shot to deep cover. A single.
Mohammad Rizwan is next to bat.
16.1
0
A Phehlukwayo to F Ashraf, OUT! Caught in the deep by Klaasen and Faheem's stay in the middle is over. Andile comes back on, bowls this one on a length outside off and rolls his fingers on this one. Ashraf pulls it away but does not get enough power and can only find Heinrich at the wide long on boundary. Caught easily and Pakistan are going into a hole here, losing wickets.
Andile Phehlukwayo comes back on now.
15.6
1
T Shamsi to F Ashraf, Quicker and shorter on off, Faheem goes back and cuts it through the line. Finds cover-point. 12 from the over, 49 needed off 24 balls.
15.5
1
T Shamsi to S Malik, Flatter and a bit shorter around leg, Malik moves back and works it to the left of short fine leg for a run.
15.4
2
T Shamsi to S Malik, Very smart, skipper. Hits a biggie last ball and steals a couple now. Plays it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and scampers back.
15.3
6
T Shamsi to S Malik, SIX! Out of here! This was always going into the crowd once it left the bat. Too full and around off, turning back in, Shoaib picks it up and muscles it with the turn over mid-wicket.
15.2
2
T Shamsi to S Malik, Short this time, wide outside off, Malik goes on the back foot and cuts it through point for a couple of runs.
15.1
0
T Shamsi to S Malik, Advances down the track, gets deceived in flight and only manages to push it back to the bowler.
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.
14.6
6
C Morris to F Ashraf, SIX! Where has this come from??? From the middle of the bat! A half-volley on middle and Faheem presents the straight bat and times it beautifully over the head of the bowler. It goes all the way, high and handsome. Pakistan needed that badly.
14.5
1
C Morris to S Malik, A fuller one outside off, jammed away to deep cover for a single.
14.5
0
C Morris to F Ashraf, Wide! Way outside off and Ashraf cannot make contact with the ball. The keeper misses his take and allows for an extra run to be taken as well.
14.4
1
C Morris to S Malik, Good yorker from Morris! Malik blocks it out though and sets off for the quick single. The bowler on his followthrough picks it up and has an aim at his end. Misses. Would have been a wicket had he hit.
14.3
1
C Morris to F Ashraf, On the middle stump to the left-hander, Faheem pulls it away to fine leg for a single.
14.2
1
C Morris to S Malik, On the middle stump, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single by the skipper.
14.1
2
C Morris to S Malik, Outside edge, thick one and the ball runs away fine towards the fence. Hendricks, Beuran at third man comes around and beautifully keeps the ball inside. Two runs saved for his team.
13.6
0
T Shamsi to F Ashraf, Third play and a miss in a row. Short and wide outside off, Faheem tries cutting but misses. Fine over by Shamsi, 5 runs and a wicket from it. 75 needed off 6 overs.
Some sombre looking Pakistani fans in the stands now...
13.5
0
T Shamsi to F Ashraf, Beaten on the drive. Full and on off, Faheem tries to play the cover drive but it turns to beat the edge.
13.4
0
T Shamsi to F Ashraf, Shortish and outside off, Ashraf flashes and misses.
Faheem Ashraf walks in at number 7.
13.3
0
T Shamsi to I Wasim, OUT! Miller once again in action. This time Wasim tries to play the conventional shot. Attempts to clear long on and seems to have gone with the spin as well. Although he fails to get the desired elevation and distance behind it. David at long on judges the catch brilliantly and then realizes that the momentum is pushing him near the fence. Immediately releases the ball but he stays inside the line and catches it back. A short stay from Imad is done and South Africa are doing well by chipping away at wickets.
13.2
4
T Shamsi to I Wasim, FOUR! Wow! First delivery he faces and brings out the reverse-batted shot. It's short around middle, Imad turns inside the crease and cracks it through point for a boundary.
13.1
1
T Shamsi to S Malik, Short and on middle, pulled through backward square leg for a run.
Imad Wasim arrives. He has a SR of 152 in T20Is. Pakistan need that power-hitting tonight. Tabraiz Shamsi is back on as well.
12.6
0
C Morris to A Ali, OUT! Asif has found the fielder with perfection. A length ball outside off sitting up to be hit, the worst ball that Morris could ball. Asif though pulls it really well but does not get the elevation on that and finds Miller. He does not have to move an inch. The fielder was in the circle all along and had just been sent back there 2 balls back. Anyway, the big-hitter is out and Pakistan in more trouble after losing a wicket off the last ball once more. The visitors need 80 runs off 42 balls and it's increasingly looking difficult.
12.5
1
C Morris to S Malik, Flicked away to deep square leg for a single.
12.4
0
C Morris to S Malik, On a length outside off, hit hard towards mid off. Dot ball. Like goldust this.
12.3
4
C Morris to S Malik, FOUR! The dancing shot from Malik. A short length ball on middle and climbs onto the batsman, he jangles around on his crease as he hooks it away for a boundary.
12.2
0
C Morris to S Malik, Lovely sound off the bat as he hit that drive but the ball goes straight to cover.
12.1
1
C Morris to A Ali, A short one outside off, cut away to deep point for a single.
Chris Morris is back on.
11.6
1
J Dala to A Ali, Reaches out for a fullish ball outside off and squeezes it through point for a single. Good over for Pakistan after a fall of wicket, 14 from it.
11.6
0
J Dala to A Ali, Wide! Fuller and wider outside off, Ali chases and misses. The umpire signals for a wide. The pressure is transferred on the bowler, already 13 from the over.
11.5
6
J Dala to A Ali, SIX! Excellently played! Short in length and around middle, Asif gets inside the bounce and pulls it all the way over fine leg for a biggie. Half an hour of Asif Ali will do Pakistan a lot of good.
11.4
1
J Dala to S Malik, Back of a length ball just around off, Malik keeps himself on the back foot and runs it down to third man for a single.
11.3
1
J Dala to A Ali, Stands tall to a short ball and pulls it behind square leg for a run.
11.2
4
J Dala to A Ali, FOUR! Nice way to get off the mark! Short and wide outside off, at 137 kph, Ali attacks it with all his power and slaps it through point.
11.1
0
J Dala to A Ali, Back of a length delivery on off, Asif gets back and pushes it towards the bowler.
Asif Ali gets a promotion. Junior Dala is back on as well.
10.6
0
A Phehlukwayo to S Malik, OUT! What a piece of fielding this! Such things can change matches. A length ball on the pads, Malik works it away to mid-wicket straight at David Miller. Miller sees that Babar has backed off a fair distance and hits the stumps at the bowler's end with an underarm throw. Azam knows he is a goner and strides off even as the umpire goes upstairs. Replays show us why? The batsman is well short. Another wicket off the last ball of an over and it is the end of a good innings from Babar. Pakistan still need 100 runs off 54 balls.
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.
10.5
1
A Phehlukwayo to B Azam, On the hips, pulled away for a single to deep backward square leg for a single by Babar.
10.4
1
A Phehlukwayo to S Malik, On the pads and SM flicks it away uppishly for a single to deep mid-wicket.
10.3
4
A Phehlukwayo to S Malik, FOUR! Down to third man again but this time it is way finer. A length ball outside off and Malik allows the ball to come to him before just angling it down for a boundary.
10.2
1
A Phehlukwayo to B Azam, A similar ball and similarly guided to third man for a single by Azam.
10.1
1
A Phehlukwayo to S Malik, On a length outside off, dabbed down to third man for a single by Malik. Off the mark is the skipper.
Birthday boy, Shoaib Malik is next to the crease.
9.6
0
T Shamsi to H Talat, OUT! Pressure was building and Talat wanted to release it. Got a boundary on the previous ball and tried to repeat it. But this time Shamsi has deceived the batsman in air. Flat and around off, spinning away, Talat skies his attempted slog sweep, it goes against the wind too and Beuran Hendricks makes no mistake at long off. The 81-run stand is broken. We've reached the halfway mark and this match is interestingly poised. 108 needed off 60 balls.
9.5
4
T Shamsi to H Talat, FOUR! Top shot! Can't really do anything as a bowler. This will release the pressure. Loopy and full outside off, Hussain skips down the track and chips it with the spin over extra cover.
9.4
1
T Shamsi to B Azam, Gets down the track and swings his bat. It once again takes the inside half of Babar's bat and travels to deep square leg for a run.
9.3
1
T Shamsi to H Talat, Goes on the back foot to a short ball and pulls it towards wide mid on for a run.
9.2
1
T Shamsi to B Azam, Full ball landing on middle and spinning back in, Babar gets forward and it goes off the inside edge to backward square leg. A single taken.
9.1
1
T Shamsi to H Talat, Mishit but safe! Tossed up ball landing full and outside off, turning away, Talat tries to heave across the line but ends up slicing it in the air over covers. It falls safely in the deep and they cross for a run.
8.6
1
A Phehlukwayo to H Talat, Yes, he can! A length ball just on top of off stump, all Hussain can do is play it onto the pitch and get to the other end for a quick single. This is brilliant bowling in the context of the game. The required rate has climbed to 10.55.
8.5
0
A Phehlukwayo to H Talat, Slower bouncer, Talat tries to pull it away but is desperately out of timing here. The ball goes on the bounce to mid-wicket. Just 3 off the over so far, can he end it well?
8.4
1
A Phehlukwayo to B Azam, Short of a length, Babar gives the charge and hits it back down the ground with a flat bat. Du Plessis comes to his right and stops the ball well. Only a single.
8.3
1
A Phehlukwayo to H Talat, Mistimed shot to long on for a single from Talat.
8.2
0
A Phehlukwayo to H Talat, Outside off this time to the lefty, Hussain goes for an expansive drive but misses the ball.
8.1
1
A Phehlukwayo to B Azam, A length ball just outside off, dabbed down to third man for a single by Babar.
7.6
2
T Shamsi to H Talat, Expectedly, the bowler drops the next ball after a boundary short and wide outside off, Hussain gets back and cuts it behind point for a couple. 8 from the over.
7.5
4
T Shamsi to H Talat, FOUR! This is a really good shot and a fancy footwork made it possible. Flatter and around leg, Talat comes running down the track and smashes it over mid on for a boundary.
7.4
1
T Shamsi to B Azam, Loopy and full on middle, it's nudged in front of square leg for a run.
7.3
1
T Shamsi to H Talat, Pressure building and Talat plays the release shot. Kneels to a full ball and slog sweeps it with the spin to deep mid-wicket. The fielder collects it on one bounce and they cross.
7.2
0
T Shamsi to H Talat, Walks forward to take it on the full and then pushes it straight to covers.
7.1
0
T Shamsi to H Talat, Flighted and full on off, Talat pushes it softly to point and sets off for a run. Loses his balance as he strides forward and his partner sends him back. He returns before the throw with a dive.
Tabraiz Shamsi to bowl.
6.6
2
A Phehlukwayo to B Azam, NOT OUT! Yes, the batsman was easily back in the crease. A length ball outside off and pushed away wide of mid on by Babar. He runs the first one hard and comes back for the second. Morris with a good throw to the keeper who flicks the bails off but a dive from Azam saves him. Good running that. The replays show us the same. So, 5 singles and a double off this Phehlukwayo over.
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.
6.5
1
A Phehlukwayo to H Talat, Short of a length, pulled away for a single to deep square leg by the southpaw.
6.4
1
A Phehlukwayo to B Azam, Another ball on the pads, turned away by the right-hander to deep backward square leg for a run.
6.3
1
A Phehlukwayo to H Talat, Third single on the trot as Hussain flicks it away wristily to deep square leg for a run.
6.2
1
A Phehlukwayo to B Azam, Another single to deep mid-wicket by Babar this time.
6.1
1
A Phehlukwayo to H Talat, On the pads, worked away for a single to deep square leg by Talat.
Andile Phehlukwayo is brought into the attack.
5.6
0
B Hendricks to H Talat, NOT OUT! Umpire's call. Hendricks angles in a good length ball on middle, skidding back in, Talat opens up in his stance as he tries to heave it over the leg side. Misses and is rapped on the back leg. They appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. The bowler convinces his skipper to take the DRS but the replays show that it's clipping leg. Powerplay over, Pakistan are 57/1 and are nicely placed at the moment in this run chase.
Big shout for an lbw! Not given and Faf du Plessis takes the DRS. Missing leg?
5.6
0
B Hendricks to H Talat, Wide again, for height. The bouncer goes well over the batsman who tries to hook but misses.
5.5
0
B Hendricks to H Talat, Play and a miss! Back of a length delivery outside off, Hussain goes hard at it but only connects with thin air.
5.4
1
B Hendricks to B Azam, Great running between the wickets! Full and around off, Babar pushes it with an angled bat to point and immediately calls his partner for a run. Talat responds and completes the single safely as the fielder misses his shy at the striker's end.
5.4
0
B Hendricks to B Azam, Called a wide! A slower one, short and wide outside off, Babar initially thinks of playing at it but then pulls out.
5.3
0
B Hendricks to B Azam, Short and pulled but it finds the mid-wicket fielder inside the ring.
5.2
2
B Hendricks to B Azam, Gets behind the line and punches it towards mid on. The fielder parries it towards long off and they take two runs. 50-run stand is up!
5.2
0
B Hendricks to B Azam, Wide! Slips a length ball down the leg side, Beuran is lucky that Azam fails to get any bat behind it.
5.1
1
B Hendricks to H Talat, Back of a length ball around off, cutting back in, Talat stays back and chops it down at the last second towards short third man. A single is taken.
A change of ends here for Hendricks.
4.6
1
C Morris to H Talat, Talat has played the square cut to deep backward point. The batsmen have run through for a single. 11 off the first over from Morris.
4.5
1
C Morris to B Azam, Length ball on off, worked towards mid-wicket by Babar as he sets off for a single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit it would have been all over for Azam.
4.4
2
C Morris to B Azam, A slower yorker, Babar adjusts and pushes it towards the square leg region. The ball is in the gap and allows for another couple.
4.3
1
C Morris to H Talat, A fuller one outside off, it's driven to mid off but the timing is not too good so it allows for a single. Faf hits the stumps at the striker's end but the batsman was well in.
4.2
2
C Morris to H Talat, On the pads, pushed with soft hands towards mid-wicket and a couple is taken by the lefty. Brilliant running too.
4.1
4
C Morris to H Talat, FOUR! A half-volley outside off, Hussain accepts it happily as hit lifts it over the mid off fielder for a boundary.
Chris Morris is now on.
3.6
4
J Dala to B Azam, FOUR! Well played! A 140 kph delivery, outside off, Babar does well to open the face of the bat at the last moment. Gets it from the middle of his willow and it runs fine to third man for a boundary. 12 from the over, Pakistan scoring freely now.
3.6
0
J Dala to B Azam, Wide called for height! Junior goes short but it's well over the head of the batsman.
3.5
1
J Dala to H Talat, Stands tall inside the crease and plays it down in the direction of point for a run.
3.4
0
J Dala to H Talat, The batsman goes after this one but misses the line completely.
3.3
1
J Dala to B Azam, Shortish and outside off, cut wide of backward point for a run. Wasn't happy with himself for not playing it better.
3.2
1
J Dala to H Talat, Fine delivery. Rising onto the batsman around middle and leg. Hussain gets into an uncomfortable position and somehow keeps it out towards point. Steals a run.
3.1
4
J Dala to H Talat, FOUR! That's edgy but just wide of point! A length ball outside off, Talat throws his hands at it and slices his attempted drive past the diving point fielder for a boundary. Once again Dala's over begins with a four.
2.6
0
B Hendricks to B Azam, Played calmly away to the point fielder. A dot to end the over off which 11 runs came.
2.5
6
B Hendricks to B Azam, SIX! What a response. Brave shot after being hit on the arm. A shortish length ball on the hips, Babar just swivels and pulls it away behind square on the leg side for a maximum. Goes beyond the rope.
Babar requires some medical attention here and the magic spray is out. Should be okay to continue...
2.4
0
B Hendricks to B Azam, Seems to have been rattled there! A length ball outside off and it looks to have hit his underarm which was not protected. Immediately pulls away in pain.
2.3
1
B Hendricks to H Talat, Comes inside the line and flicks this away on a bounce to deep square leg. Single picked up.
2.2
4
B Hendricks to H Talat, FOUR! Short and wide from Hendricks, cut away splendidly by Hussain. The ball was behind point and in the gap. No stopping that.
2.1
0
B Hendricks to H Talat, On the charge! Talat swings across the line of the ball to this one on a length outside off. Misses the ball completely.
1.6
0
J Dala to B Azam, A delayed appeal from the bowler and then the keeper joins. The umpire remains still. A well-directed short ball on middle, Babar tries to pull but misses. Is there any glove on it? The bowler thinks so and appeals, later joined by Cloete but the umpire shows no intention of joining the party. Fine first over by Dala, only 6 coming off it.
1.5
0
J Dala to B Azam, Good length ball on off, Babar plays it down towards point.
1.4
1
J Dala to H Talat, Direct hit would have been close! Back of a length ball on middle, Talat taps it down on the leg side and crosses for a risky single. Dala reaches the ball to his left and back-flicks it in the direction of the stumps. Misses and Babar gets in safely. The replays show that he would have been a goner in case of a direct hit. Reprieve for him.
1.3
1
J Dala to B Azam, Digs in a short ball on middle, Babar pulls it to deep square leg for one.
1.2
0
J Dala to B Azam, A great comeback delivery. Angles it in full and on off, Babar gets behind the line and defends it back.
1.1
4
J Dala to B Azam, FOUR! Absolutely smashed! Short and wide outside off, there to be hit, Azam latches onto it and whacks it through extra cover. The ball reaches the fence in a flash. The replays show that the bowler bowled that delivery from way behind the crease. Hmm...
Junior Dala to operate from the other end.
0.6
1
B Hendricks to B Azam, Dabbed down to third man for a single to end an eventful first over. 10 runs and a wicket off it.
0.5
4
B Hendricks to B Azam, FOUR! Slapped! First ball boundary for Babar too! That is the talent this guy possesses. A shorter one aimed at the helmet, Azam pulls it away off the front foot for a boundary behind square on the leg side.
0.4
1
B Hendricks to H Talat, Off the mark straightaway. A length ball outside off, defended onto the off side and Hussain gets to the other end.
Hussain Talat comes in at no.3.
0.3
0
B Hendricks to F Zaman, OUT! Gone third ball. After going haywire the first two balls, Fakhar looked to guide this one down to third man but gets an outside edge to a length ball outside off. Reeza Hendricks at slip makes no mistake and Pakistan have lost their first one. Was more like a catching practice.
0.2
0
B Hendricks to F Zaman, Slower one this time and Fakhar was looking to hit out of orbit. Loses his shape completely as he misses the ball.
0.1
4
B Hendricks to F Zaman, FOUR! Pakistan up and running with a boundary. A length ball outside off and Zaman slaps it away through mid-wicket.
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!