Rizwan stars as Pakistan down South Africa in first T20I

An incredible, unbeaten ton by wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan was the shining beacon that helped Pakistan secure a three-run victory against South Africa in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) that was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.

Chasing a tricky target of 170 runs, after Rizwan’s heroic knock, the Proteas openers Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks got their side off to a solid start. Their partnership of 53 runs off 42 deliveries was dominated by Malan who contributed 44 runs in that total at the expense of 29 deliveries while Hendricks only managed eight runs off 12 deliveries.

The introduction of leg-spinner Usman Qadir however unraveled the solid foundation in quick order. Malan was the first to depart, bowled by a perfect googly from Qadir, after scoring 44 runs off 29 deliveries.

Qadir then bowled another perfect delivery that breached the defenses of batsman Jacques Snyman (two runs off 6 deliveries) to reduce South Africa to 61 runs for the loss of two wickets.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf then removed the hard-hitting batsman David Miller, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, after scoring just six runs off 10 deliveries.

Skipper Heinrich Klassen (12 runs off 10 deliveries) middled a ball, bowled by fast-bowler Haris Raif, straight into the hands of fielder Hussain Talat as the asking rate began to climb.

The Proteas’ chase was dealt a big blow soon afterward as Hendricks, who had been solid at the other end, ventured out of his crease only to be run-out by a diving Rizwan after the batsman had scored 54 runs off 42 deliveries.

Rauf then removed all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo (14 off eight deliveries), caught by fielder Haider Ali to reduce South Africa to 139 for the loss of six wickets.

A late flurry at the end by all-rounders Dwaine Pretorius (15* runs off six deliveries) and Bjorn Fortuin (17* runs of nine deliveries) made things interesting but could not take the Proteas side over the line. 

Usman Qadir was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, picking up two wickets in four overs at the expense of 21 runs. Haris Rauf also picked up two wickets while Faheem Ashraf took one wicket for his side.

Earlier, South Africa’s captain Heinrich Klaasen won the toss and elected to field first. Pakistan were off to a horrible start as skipper Babar Azam was run-out by spinner Bjorn Fortuin for a duck.

Dynamic batsman Haider Ali, who came in next, appeared to be in sublime form as he raced to 21 runs off 16 deliveries with the help of three massive sixes before being removed by fast-bowler Andile Phehlukwayo, caught by fielder Jacques Snyman.

All-rounder Hussain Talat then joined opener Mohammad Rizwan in the middle and the duo seemed to be laying a strong foundation for their side with cautious batting. However, a delivery from leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi proved fatal as the batsman was stumped by wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen after scoring just 15 runs off 11 deliveries. The decision was sent upstairs and the third umpire shockingly gave it out despite replays showing that the batsman’s foot was planted.

Batsmen Iftikhar Ahmed (four runs off 8 deliveries), Khushdil Shah (12 off 12) and Faheem Ashraf (four off 5) departed without putting a major dent in the scoreline.

However, as the Proteas side kept taking wickets at the other end, Pakistan’s opener Mohammad Rizwan stood tall at the other end guiding his side through every stage with the precision of a surgeon. The right-handed batsman started his innings cautiously but kept pushing the score at regular intervals when it needed a boost.

The wicketkeeper-batsman remained unbeaten in the end after scoring a match-defining 104-run knock off 64 deliveries with the help of six fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 162.5. The incredible knock propelled Pakistan to 169 runs for the loss of six wickets at the end of their allotted overs.

Andile Phehlukwayo was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas, picking up two wickets at the expense of 33 runs in four overs while bowlers Bjorn Fortuin, Lutho Sipamla, and Tabraiz Shamsi picked up one wicket each.