David Miller and George Linde Lead South Africa to T20I Victory Over Pakistan

South Africa, just a day after sealing the Test series against Sri Lanka, made a remarkable start to their T20I series against Pakistan with a thrilling 11-run win in Durban. The match saw a completely different XI take the field, but it was David Miller’s blistering 40-ball 82, which included eight sixes, and George Linde’s all-round heroics that turned the game in South Africa’s favor. Linde contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 48 runs and then taking four crucial wickets, ensuring a tight finish for South Africa.

For Pakistan, the result could have been different had their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, not left it too late in the chase. The game’s turning point came during the crucial middle overs, where Rizwan’s struggle to accelerate and a devastating spell from Linde put the game beyond Pakistan’s reach.

Pakistan’s Powerplay: A Tale of Two Halves

Pakistan’s chase got off to a rocky start as they lost their star opener, Babar Azam, cheaply for a duck in the fourth over, dismissed by young Kwena Maphaka. From 19/1, the visitors quickly regained momentum thanks to a sensational assault from Saim Ayub, who blasted 31 off just 13 balls, helping Pakistan race to 55/1 by the end of the powerplay. However, Ayub’s promising innings was cut short when he was dismissed in the very first over after the powerplay, causing a shift in the momentum.

Despite the early breakthrough, Pakistan’s chase faltered when Usman Khan, having been reprieved earlier, mistimed a shot and got caught. The bigger concern, however, was Rizwan’s lack of fluency. Batting at a strike rate of just over 70 for the first 16 overs, Rizwan finally found some rhythm when he struck two sixes off Maphaka in the 17th over to bring up his half-century. However, just as Pakistan seemed to be building some momentum, Linde’s three-wicket over derailed the chase, leaving Rizwan with too much to do in the final two overs.

Rizwan’s Fightback Falls Short

With 31 required off the final 12 balls, Rizwan fought valiantly, hitting three boundaries to keep Pakistan in the hunt. However, with 18 needed off five balls, Rizwan’s mistimed shot off Maphaka sealed Pakistan’s fate. Maphaka closed out the game with ease, handing South Africa a vital win in the opening T20I.

South Africa’s Innings: Miller’s Show and Linde’s Finishing Touch

Earlier in the evening, South Africa posted a total of 183/9, with Miller leading the charge. Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s pace spearhead, made an early impact, removing Rassie van der Dussen for a golden duck and nearly dismissing Matthew Breetzke as well. Despite the early setbacks, Miller took charge, dismantling Afridi’s bowling with back-to-back boundaries. Pakistan’s bowlers, however, maintained control during the powerplay, with Abrar Ahmed picking up the wicket of Reeza Hendricks, who failed to read a googly.

Desperate for a partnership, Miller found an able partner in Heinrich Klaasen, and together, they revived South Africa’s innings. Miller’s six-hitting spree, including a hat-trick of sixes off Abrar, pushed the total past 50, and he raced to 80 off just 37 balls. However, just as South Africa seemed poised for a massive total, Pakistan fought back, with Shaheen Afridi removing Miller for 82. The loss of wickets in the slog overs left South Africa vulnerable, with their total reduced to 141/8 after 16 overs.

At this point, South Africa looked at risk of failing to bat out their full 20 overs. But Linde and Maphaka produced a late flourish, with Linde in particular clearing the ropes thrice in the final over, providing South Africa with the momentum they needed to reach 183/9.

Pakistan’s Fightback and Linde’s Match-Winning Performance

Despite the late surge, Pakistan couldn’t get over the line. Rizwan’s valiant efforts were not enough as Linde’s four-wicket haul and Miller’s match-winning knock sealed the deal for South Africa, giving them a vital 11-run win to take the lead in the series.

Brief Scores:

• South Africa: 183/9 in 20 overs (David Miller 82, George Linde 48; Shaheen Afridi 3/22, Abrar Ahmed 3/37)
• Pakistan: 172/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 74; George Linde 4/21)
  South Africa won by 11 runs.