A remarkable all-round display by George Linde and a rapid half-century by David Miller powered South Africa to an 11-run victory against Pakistan in the opening match of the three-game T20I series at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban, on Tuesday night.
Defending a competitive total of 183, South Africa held Pakistan to 172-8 in their allotted 20 overs. Left-arm spinner George Linde, making his international return after over two years, delivered a stellar performance, claiming four wickets for just 21 runs in four overs. Earlier, he had smashed an explosive 48 off 24 balls, laced with four sixes and three boundaries.
Pakistan’s chase was anchored by skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who remained the lone warrior with a 62-ball 74. However, his valiant knock ended in the final over when Kwena Maphaka dismissed him, leaving Pakistan short of the target.
The run chase got off to a shaky start as Babar Azam was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the third over, courtesy of Maphaka. Rizwan, along with Saim Ayub, steadied the innings with a 40-run partnership. Saim impressed with a quickfire 31 off 15 balls, hitting seven boundaries before falling to Andile Similane in the seventh over.
George Linde’s first breakthrough came in the 10th over, removing Usman Khan for nine. Pakistan managed 78-3 at the halfway mark, but the middle and lower order faltered. Tayyab Tahir contributed 18 off 18 balls, including a four and a six, but none of the batters from No. 6 onward could reach double figures.
Linde’s heroics continued in the 18th over, where he claimed three crucial wickets to derail Pakistan’s chase. Despite a 42-run fifth-wicket stand between Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan needed 19 runs off the final over but fell short.
Earlier, South Africa opted to bat first but stumbled to 28-3 as Pakistan’s bowlers dominated early. Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed the top three batters. Miller then rescued the innings with a blistering 82 off 40 balls, smashing eight sixes and four boundaries. After his dismissal in the 14th over, Linde stepped up to ensure South Africa posted a challenging total of 183-9.
Shaheen was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers, taking 3-22 and reaching the milestone of 100 T20I wickets. Abrar Ahmed claimed 3-37, while Mohammad Abbas Afridi bagged 2-30.
Match Summary:
South Africa: 183-9 (David Miller 82, George Linde 48; Shaheen Afridi 3-22, Abrar Ahmed 3-37)
Pakistan: 172-8 (Mohammad Rizwan 74, Saim Ayub 31; George Linde 4-21, Kwena Maphaka 2-39)
Player of the Match: George Linde (South Africa)
The second T20I is scheduled for December 13 at SuperSport Park, Centurion, followed by the final match on December 14 at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.