Clinical South Africa level series with a 6 wicket win over Pakistan

A disciplined bowling effort backed by a brilliant half-century from Aiden Markram helped South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 wickets and level the series 1-1. Opting to bat, Pakistan were jolted by early blows as their openers were back in the hut with just ten runs on the board. Mohammad Rizwan, who had scored 10 consecutive fifty-plus scores in T20 format before this matches, was dismissed for a first-ball duck while Sharjeel Khan departed for a 12 ball 8.

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Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez joined hands and stabilized the innings. The duo added 58 runs for the third wicket before Hafeez departed for a well made 32. While Babar looked steady at one end, he didn’t find any support from the other end. As a result, Pakistan couldn’t get the momentum they needed and were restricted to a below-par 140-9. George Linde and Lizaad Williams accounted for three wickets each. Babar top-scored for Pakistan with run a ball 50

South Africa got off to a blazing start in their chase and fetched 44 runs in 4.3 overs before Malan departed. However, Aiden Markram carried on his good form and stroked a breezy fifty. He departed for a brisk 54 off 30 balls. Henrich Klaasen took charge post Markram’s wicket and guided South Africa to a comprehensive win. Klaasen(36*) along with George Linde(20)* stitched an unbeaten 49 run stand for the 5th wicket. For Pakistan, Usman Qadir was pick of the bowlers and returned with figures of 2-26. The third match of the T20I series will be played on April 14 at the same venue.