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SA beat ZIM by 34 runs | South Africa vs Zimbabwe, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match - Commentary
Zimbabwe in South Africa, 3 T20I Series, 2018
Date: Oct 09, 2018 Start Time: 21:30 IST | 16:00 GMT | 18:00 LocalVenue: Buffalo Park, East London
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South Africa vs Zimbabwe Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Match - T20I Commentary
161 to win then. What do you reckon? Going by Mavuta's confidence, Zimbabwe should look at this as a great chance to beat South Africa. They have chased down totals of 160 or more in T20Is just thrice before. Could this be their fourth? On the flip side, looking at how the Zimbabwean spinners bowled, Tahir and Shamsi will be looking to have a party. Stay tuned for the run chase.
Talk about Mavuta and here he is, on the sidelines. Says that he was just trying to bowl wicket-to-wicket and just add some variety to that. Adds he took his time ball by ball and it paid off. States that he took the wind factor into account and decided to go about things accordingly. Informs that he was mentally prepared for this contest and is happy he could do well. Feels the wicket is a good one for batting and backs his boys to get the job done.
A story of three bowlers tells you Zimbabwe's bowling. Chris Mpofu was really poor in the field but with the ball, he was superb. His final over was tremendous, going for just 4 and his 2/24 simply stands out. Brandon Mavuta was the pick of the bowlers in my opinion. He struck on his first ball and did not pick any wicket further but with 10 dots and just 1 boundary, his 1/19 kept South Africa quiet. He found an able partner in Sean Williams who went for just 28 in 4 overs.
Talk about the debutant, Rassie van der Dussen - how well did he play? You never know - this innings could be the difference between victory and defeat. He took his time early on, happy to play second fiddle to his skipper but then took control after seeing Miller struggle. 56 from just 44 balls with 5 fours and a six. Had he stayed on for some more time, the Proteas could have reached 175-180.
Mavuta struck first ball, getting rid of Faf and that stalled the scoring. The Proteas could manage just 65 runs in the next 9 overs and even though no wicket fell, the batsmen could not quite make runs freely. The pressure was telling big time on David Miller and had it not been for the debutant, Rassie van der Dussen, who took it upon himself to try and bat for as long as possible, the Proteas would not have even reached 150.
South Africa, without a doubt have fallen at least 20 runs short of what they would have looked for. They lost their openers cheaply and then captain Faf du Plessis came out all guns blazing. With the Powerplay score reading 52/2, the hosts were back on track but then came the leggie, Brandon Mavuta.
Superb bowling from Zimbabwe. Could have been even better had they fielded well but they will take 160 any day. Now, if they bat sensibly, they can think about going 1-0 up.
Chris Mpofu to Andile Phehlukwayo. Full and outside off, Phehlukwayo gets down and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a couple. Just 4 runs from the final over and Mpofu finishes with figures of 4-0-24-2! ZIMBABWE NEED 161 TO WIN.
Chris Mpofu to Andile Phehlukwayo. Lovely bowling. One more delivered from the back of the hand, a short one at that, AP leaps and attempts the upper cut but misses.
Chris Mpofu to Andile Phehlukwayo. Another dot. A slower one, outside off, Andile looks to push it to the off side but is beaten.
Chris Mpofu to Junior Dala. The ball has struck the batsman hard on his hand. One run added to the total. Leg bye given by the umpire.
Chris Mpofu to Andile Phehlukwayo. It's been driven superbly through the covers. One run added to the total.
Chris Mpofu to Andile Phehlukwayo. Full and wide outside off, Phehlukwayo lets it go, thinking it will be a wide but the ball is inside the line.
Junior Dala walks in.
Kyle Jarvis to Christiaan Jonker. OUT! That is a blinder! Jonker cannot believe it. But he has to go. Full and outside off, Christiaan crashes this over cover but at the last moment, Hamilton Masakadza flies to his right and takes a stunner! They check for the overstepping but Jarvis is just about fine. Ends his spell with figures of 4-0-37-3.
Kyle Jarvis to Christiaan Jonker. The batsman has done well to keep that yorker at bay.
Kyle Jarvis to Christiaan Jonker. SIX! THRASH! No short stuff please. It is a long hop which just sits up and asks to be hit. Jonker obliges and as soon as the ball is pitched, he swivels and sends it over deep mid-wicket.
Kyle Jarvis to Andile Phehlukwayo. This time he gets it past cover for a single.
Kyle Jarvis to Andile Phehlukwayo. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Kyle Jarvis to Andile Phehlukwayo. A yorker outside off, Phehlukwayo looks to push it away but misses.
Andile Phehlukwayo walks in at number 7, replacing van der Dussen.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. OUT! The debutant departs. A slower ball, outside off, van der Dussen swings hard but early. Gets a top edge which goes only as far as cover. Simple catch for Hamilton Masakadza. A fine 56 from the debutant. Could have seen Zimbabwe on top had this bloke not stood out for so long.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. FIVE WIDES! Misfired. Full and down the leg side, van der Dussen misses his flick and poor Taylor behind is blinded. No chance to stop that.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. Pushes this through mid on for a couple.
Chris Mpofu to Christiaan Jonker. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. Down the leg side, helped fine for a single.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman goes for the hook but misses the line of the delivery.
Chris Mpofu to Christiaan Jonker. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. A direct hit by the fielder but the batsman makes it home. They pick up a single.
Christiaan Jonker walks in at number 6, replacing Miller. Meanwhile, Chris Mpofu is back on. 2-0-11-1 so far.
Kyle Jarvis to David Miller. OUT! Taken this time! Miller's struggle ends. Full and on middle, Miller comes down the track and skies it high in the air. Williams comes running in and takes it nicely at long on. End of the 87-run stand.
Kyle Jarvis to David Miller. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Kyle Jarvis to David Miller. CATCH TAKEN BUT IT IS A SIX! Poor luck for Tarisai Musakanda. Miller comes down the track and hits it high in the air. He miscues it and Musakanda gets ready for the catch at the long off fence. However, when he leaps for the catch and then takes it, his first landing is on the ropes. Does not even have time to throw the ball.
Kyle Jarvis to Rassie van der Dussen. Banged short, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Kyle Jarvis to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! HALF CENTURY ON DEBUT! Just the third South African after Graeme Smith and Rilee Roussouw to achieve this feat. Gets to the landmark with a bludgeon past the bowler, down the ground, splitting long on and long off.
Kyle Jarvis to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! A short ball, on the pads, pulled past Mpofu at short fine leg for a boundary!
Kyle Jarvis is back on. 2-0-15-1 so far.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it. One run added to the total. Not a bad outing for Williams with the ball. 4-0-28-0 tonight.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. Close call! The arm ball, around middle and leg, van der Dussen looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. Zimbabwe appeal but that seemed to be going down leg. Meanwhile, Miller initially wants a single but then sees his partner is not looking at him. Aborts the thought.
Sean Williams to David Miller. Full on middle, hit powerfully down to long on for a run.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! Nice shot. Full on middle, van der Dussen skips down the track and blasts it down the ground towards long on for a boundary.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and outside leg, reverse swept straight to point.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. Now he looks to play the conventional sweep but misses again. Is hit on the pads and Mavuta appeals but in vain. Excellent spell from the leggie - 4-0-19-1.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. Floated around middle and leg, Miller looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. On middle and leg, flicked through the leg side for one.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Brandon Mavuta is back on. His final over. 3-0-15-1 so far.
Sean Williams to David Miller. Full and down the leg side, pushed towards long on for one. 11 from the over, 22 from the last 2!
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and outside off, pushed wide of the bowler towards long off for a run.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and outside off, driven wide of long off for a couple.
Sean Williams to David Miller. Down the leg side, helped towards fine leg for a single.
Sean Williams to David Miller. SIX! TAKE THAT! Full and outside off, Miller gets down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a biggie!
Sean Williams to David Miller. The ball strikes the batsman very low on the pads.
Sean Williams gets a change of ends.
Tendai Chisoro to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! 50-STAND IS UP IN 41 BALLS. Dropped short, around off, van der Dussen goes back and drags his pull through square leg for a boundary! 100 IS UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA AS WELL. 7 overs left. Can they get to 190?
Tendai Chisoro to David Miller. Misses out. Comes down the track and blasts it, but straight to long off. Just a run.
Tendai Chisoro to David Miller. A low full toss outside off, David squeezes it straight to Chris Mpofu at backward point who fumbles a straightforward chance and concedes a couple.
Tendai Chisoro to David Miller. Much slower this time, tossed up at 88 kph. On the pads, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Tendai Chisoro to David Miller. WIDE. Quicker one, 100 KPH, fired down the leg side. Miller does not even move a muscle.
Tendai Chisoro to Rassie van der Dussen. Dragged short, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a single. The stand is now worth 40 from 37 balls.
Tendai Chisoro to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.
Tendai Chisoro is back on. 2-0-26-0 so far.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket for a run. Just 3 from that over. Brilliant bowling.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. Outside off, punched behind point for a quick single. Might have been a run out chance had Kyle Jarvis picked it up cleanly running to his left from backward point but he fumbles.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. Full and around off, pushed towards cover.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. Fires this on off stump, van der Dussen perhaps makes a late call to play his shot. Just about gets his bat down in time to play the googly through mid-wicket for a single.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. And again. Same shot, same result.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and around middle, reverse swept straight to point.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Sean Williams to David Miller. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Sean Williams to David Miller. SAFE. Big opportunity missed by Zimbabwe. Not the run out, but the catch. Full and outside off, Miller comes down the track and looks to go over the leg side but does not get to that at all. He gets a massive leading edge but neither backward point, nor sweeper cover see it. They do not hear Brendan Taylor's shouts either. In the end, the ball drops safely. Miller returns for the second and the throw comes in at his end. It is a good one and he dives, with the run out appeal referred upstairs. Replays show that he is home though.
Run out chance! Is Miller gone?
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. This is on middle, van der Dussen looks to play the reverse sweep but mistimes it towards cover. A run taken.
Sean Williams to David Miller. Fired outside leg, flicked towards deep square leg for a single.
Sean Williams to David Miller. Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Chamu Chibhabha to David Miller. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. 82/3 at the halfway mark. Is 200 still on?
Chamu Chibhabha to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. They pick up a single.
Chamu Chibhabha to Rassie van der Dussen. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.
Chamu Chibhabha to David Miller. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover who misfields and concedes a single.
Chamu Chibhabha to David Miller. FOUR! That has gone like a tracer bullet! Fractionally short in length, around middle and leg, Miller swivels and plays a pull shot. There is a man in the deep, at square leg and he has to move just a couple of paces. But he cannot even get to it. It is so powerfully struck. In the end, the fielder dives, but in vain. Miller moves to 11 from 11 balls.
Chamu Chibhabha to David Miller. Comes down the track and works it wide of long on for a couple. The stand is now worth 21 from 18 balls.
Chamu Chibhabha to bowl now. Sixth bowler in the 10th over.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. A short ball, down the leg side, Rassie looks to pull but is unable to connect. The ball goes off his pads down the leg side and a couple of leg byes are taken.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and outside off, driven through the covers who dives to his right and parries it to long off. Two runs taken.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. A touch short, around leg, punched down to long on for one.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. Tossed up outside off, pushed past the diving bowler towards long off for a run.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. The googly outside off, short in length, crunched straight to sweeper cover for a single.
Sean Williams to David Miller. Fired on the pads, flicked towards deep square leg for a single.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. They pick up a single.
Sean Williams to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. Two runs added to the total.
Sean Williams to David Miller. The batsman dances down the track. They pick up a single.
Sean Williams to David Miller. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
Sean Williams to David Miller. Comes down the track, is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and misses the ball. Is hit on the pads. That nearly went through.
Sean Williams into the attack. Another spinner.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. Good effort by the fielder to ensure the ball doesn't cross the line. They manage to come back for the second.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and on middle, there comes the reverse sweep and it is hit towards point where it is fielded well.
Brandon Mavuta to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! That should have been stopped though. Full and outside off, Rassie powers a cover drive. It is a full-blooded shot, but slightly to the right of the fielder in the circle. He gets down but is late and the ball goes through.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
Brandon Mavuta to David Miller. Full and on the pads, flicked straight to square leg.
David Miller walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper.
Brandon Mavuta to Faf du Plessis. OUT! The leggie strikes first ball! MAIDEN T20I WICKET FOR BRANDON MAVUTA. Not a bad scalp to get, eh? Tossed up outside off, Faf dances down the track and straightaway looks to take the leggie on. He aims to get it over extra cover but this time Zimbabwe have outsmarted him. They have seen him go inside out during the Powerplay and immediately kept a man in the deep once the fielding restrictions were lifted. Faf does not count for that. Hits it straight down the throat of Tendai Chisoro who makes no mistake. Can Zimbabwe pile on some pressure now?
A leggie now. Brandon Mavuta introduced to bowl.
Kyle Jarvis to Faf du Plessis. Good bowling. Sees Faf advancing and slows the pace down. The skipper looks to force it through the off side but gets a thick inside edge which goes past the leg stump towards short fine leg. A single taken. 52/2 in the Powerplay.
Kyle Jarvis to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, played towards short third man. Someone wants the single, someone says 'NO! NO!' Eventually, the pair agrees to the second piece of communication and it is a dot ball.
Kyle Jarvis to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Kyle Jarvis to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. The stand moves to 40 from 23 balls.
Kyle Jarvis to Rassie van der Dussen. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.
Kyle Jarvis to Rassie van der Dussen. SIX! Now the debutant gets going! A length ball, on the pads, van der Dussen gets across and flicks it powerfully. It goes all the way over backward square leg!
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Terrific batting again. Full and outside off, du Plessis comes down the track and whips it over mid on and gets a boundary! 14 from the over!
Kyle Jarvis is back for his second over. Change of ends for him. Meanwhile, there seems to be an issue with the Zing bails. One of them has stopped working. Gets replaced.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Super shot. Faf du Plessis is not giving an inch. Once more he skips out of his crease, gets close to the pitch and lifts it over covers to find the fence.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. Fuller outside off, driven to covers.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. WIDE. Down the leg side, expecting the batsman to move to the leg side but Faf stays where he is and lets it go.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. Comes down the track now but the ball is very straight and fast. He is forced to defend.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. OUTSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Faf continues to go for runs. Full and wide outside off, du Plessis backs away to the leg side and then reaches out for the shot, aiming to go inside out. However, unlike last time, where he got a biggie, he gets an outside edge this time, which flies over backward point. Makes it to the fence behind.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. Outside off, RvdD looks to pull but misses.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. Another short ball, outside off, Rassie looks to hook but is beaten by pace.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. Short and outside off, cut straight to cover.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Chris Mpofu to Rassie van der Dussen. On middle and leg, van der Dussen flicks it through mid-wicket, takes the single, notices that the fielder is lazy in attacking the ball and hares back for the second.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. SIX! Brilliant batting! Faf is not going to be bogged down by the wickets falling around him. Tossed up outside off, the skipper backs away to the leg side, creates a little bit of room for him and boom. Lofts this full ball outside off over cover. 12 from the over, both in maximums.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, a tad short, Faf goes back and punches it straight to cover.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. SIX! Fine shot. Tossed up outside off, du Plessis comes down the track and sends it sailing over wide long on!
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. Full and straight, hit back to the bowler.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
Tendai Chisoro to Faf du Plessis. Full and outside off, that is a dart, driven straight to cover.
Tendai Chisoro to bowl his left-arm spin.
Chris Mpofu to Faf du Plessis. IN THE AIR, SAFE! Nervy moments for Faf and South Africa. A length ball outside off, FdP looks to chip it over mid off but there is no timing, because he is beaten by lack of pace. He mistimes it in the air but luckily for him, the ball lands right in between mid on and mid off! A single is taken.
Chris Mpofu to Faf du Plessis. INSIDE EDGE MISSES THE STUMPS! Things are happening. Full and outside off, Faf is a bit lazy in getting forward, looks to push but gets a thick inside edge which just misses the sticks!
Chris Mpofu to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Lucky one! A short ball, around middle, du Plessis looks to pull but is cramped for room. He gets a top edge which goes over short fine leg!
Another debutant is in. Rassie van der Dussen walks in at number 4, replacing de Kock.
Chris Mpofu to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Both the openers are gone now. What a start from Zimbabwe! A short ball, around middle, but it is slower in pace. De Kock does not read that and goes for the pull quickly. Gets a top edge which goes high in the air. Chamu Chibhabha keeps his eyes on the ball and takes it easily at deep mid-wicket. Not a great comeback for QdK.
Chris Mpofu to Quinton de Kock. ALMOST! Around off, Quinton looks to defend but the ball takes the bottom edge and rolls behind, just about missing the off stump!
Chris Mpofu to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for South Africa. A length ball outside off, de Kock steers it behind point. Jarvis gives it a good chase from third man to his left, dives but cannot prevent the boundary.
Chris Mpofu to share the new ball with Jarvis.
Kyle Jarvis to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Outstanding timing! The ball is full and too straight. The skipper walks into the shot, gets across and flicks it easily through mid-wicket. The ball races away!
Skipper Faf du Plessis strides in at number 3, much earlier than he would have anticipated.
Kyle Jarvis to Gihahn Cloete. OUT! And now, the debutant is going back! A decent nut from Jarvis. He lands it on a length, slightly outside off and Cloete has a feel for it. But at the last moment, the ball moves away and takes the outside edge. Goes straight to Hamilton Masakadza at first slip who cups it easily to his right. Not a great debut with the bat then, for Cloete.
Kyle Jarvis to Gihahn Cloete. A length ball outside off, Gihahn plays at it and gets a thick outside edge, behind point towards third man. It almost meets the fence but is saved in the end. Two runs to get the debutant going.
Kyle Jarvis to Gihahn Cloete. A short ball, around middle and leg, Cloete sways away.
Kyle Jarvis to Quinton de Kock. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Kyle Jarvis to Quinton de Kock. On a length around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
We are all ready to begin then. Quinton de Kock and Gihahn Cloete are the openers for the home side. Kyle Jarvis has the new ball in his hand. De Kock to face. Here we go!
A few debutants in this game. Gihahn Cloete and Rassie van der Dussen are given opportunities by the Proteas. The Proteas are going in with two spinners in Tahir and Shamsi, while the seamers are Phehlukwayo, Dala and Ngidi. As far as Zimbabwe are concerned, they have just the one spinner in Chisoro. Interesting tactics.
TOSS - Faf du Plessis has won the spin of the coin. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE ELECTED TO BAT.
We are all set for the T20I series to begin. With India crushing Windies and Pakistan dominating Australia, a South Africa-Zimbabwe clash does not provide too much expectations. However, since the format is T20, we can hope that Zimbabwe can do better than what they did in the ODIs. Hello and a warm welcome to the first T20I of the 3-match series between South Africa and Zimbabwe in East London.
So we're done with this one. South Africa carry their good form from the ODI series forward and win this opening T20I. Zimbabwe were letdown by their batting order again and will want to rectify that quickly. They have to win the next game to keep the series alive. It takes place on 12th October, at 1800 local (1600 GMT). Join in for that. Cheers!
South Africa skipper, Faf du Plessis, says he believed the score they had on the board was enough as the wicket was a bit on the slower side. Reckons the ball didn't grip as much in the first innings, so they were able to get some partnerships in the middle. Praises van der Dussen and Miller for their partnership and adds both are quality players. Feels Imran Tahir has a knack for taking wickets so he used him upfront which paid off. Further adds they didn't expect so much dew, so it became a bit challenging for the wrist spinners, but them and his pacers bowled really well despite that. Continues saying that even when Peter Moor was scoring big, he knew one wicket could bring about a turnaround.
Man of the Match, Imran Tahir, says he's really pleased with his bowling and is honoured to play for his country, so doesn't take anything for granted. Is glad he executed his plans to perfection and happy that he's able to help the team. Mentions that he practices a lot with the new ball in the nets and he puts in a lot of hard work. States he's a big believer in the fact that it's never too late to learn (bowling with the new ball), so will just give it his best.
Zimbabwe skipper, Hamilton Masakadza, says 160 was just about par and he thought his team could have chased it down. Credits his bowlers for restricting South Africa to 160 and bowling well. Admits his batting unit needs work and is the area they need to work on. Applauds Peter Moor's batting effort but is disappointed he couldn't finish it off. Ends by saying they'll try to do better in the next game.
Imran Tahir was the man who lead the charge with his second 5-wicket haul in T20Is. Barring Shamsi, who got hit for plenty (especially where he conceded 24 against Moor in one over), everyone else did well and contributed with the wickets. It was a rather good performance from the home side, even if it wasn't perfect, as it got them the win. Earlier, some fine batting from du Plessis, Miller and debutant van der Dussen (who scored a fifty), helped the Proteas put up 160 on the board which proved to be more than enough. Stay tuned for the presentation...
South Africa manage to hold on, but nobody can say they weren't given a run for their money tonight. They started off well with the ball after setting a target of 161 and scalped early wickets, then continued with more. Had it not been for Moor and Mavuta's quickfire 50-stand, this game would have been over much early. The pair added some fast runs, threatened to take this close, but once the partnership was broken it was a mere formality after that.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. OUT! And there it is! Game over. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 34 RUNS! Phehlukwayo pitches it full on off, Moor looks to clear long off with a lofted shot but can't get under it cleanly. Jonker out in the deep moves to his right and takes a good catch. The hosts take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. Fuller and slower wide outside off, Moor fails to connect.
Andile Phehlukwayo returns to the attack.
Lungi Ngidi to Chris Mpofu. What just happened here? A misfield and that was almost a boundary. Yikes! It's the magic man Imran Tahir. Yorker on off, Mpofu digs it out down towards third man. It's rolling there slowly, Tahir bends to takes it but the ball takes an odd bounce in front of him and goes through his legs. He runs back and pulls it back inside the rope just in time. Saves some embarrassment for himself, even if it just a little. No run taken.
Lungi Ngidi to Chris Mpofu. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Chris Mpofu is the last batsman in for Zimbabwe.
Lungi Ngidi to Kyle Jarvis. OUT! Ngidi is never too far away from the wickets, is he? Angles in a fierce length ball on leg, it keeps coming in with the angle and catches Jarvis on the thigh pad as he looks to flick it away. It deflects back onto the off stump and uproots it. The end for Zimbabwe now?
Lungi Ngidi to Peter Moor. Full ball, it's driven down to long off for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Kyle Jarvis. Jarvis was expecting the short ball but Ngidi still got him on the helmet. Was sharp, angled in, with good pace. On middle and leg, Kyle ducked but still caught one on the helmet. Oooff! A leg bye is taken as the ball goes on the off side.
Lungi Ngidi to Kyle Jarvis. Banged in short, Jarvis somehow manages to let it be.
Lungi Ngidi to Kyle Jarvis. Wide! This one is down the leg side, Jarvis looks to put bat on ball but fails to do so.
Kyle Jarvis strides out to the middle. 38 needed off 24. Still some last twist left in this game? Lungi Ngidi to bowl now.
Junior Dala to Brandon Mavuta. OUT! GONE! Of all the deliveries, this is the poorest one he's bowled in the entire over. Mavuta will feel hard done by this. He'd have wanted to sent it sailing once more. Full toss well outside off, Brandon reaches out to it and slices it straight to Ngidi at third man. The catch is taken. The umpire wants to check the front foot no ball and the height as well, both are okay and Mavuta has to make the long walk back.
Junior Dala to Brandon Mavuta. Top edged but safe! Shortish in length, Brandon pulls and it goes off the edge through square leg. A couple taken.
Junior Dala to Brandon Mavuta. SIX! Oh, dear! This is turning into some game now. Unreal stuff. Junior Dala angles it in on middle and leg, Mavuta goes across the line and lifts it ever so well over square leg. Clears the boundary rope, along with the leaping fielder and earns a biggie. The 50-run stand is up too, in just 17 balls.
The ball has been changed. Not sure what the reason is, but the umpire doesn't seem quite pleased it.
Junior Dala to Brandon Mavuta. Length delivery around off, Mavuta gets an inside edge to square leg. Big gap out there, so he's able to come back for the second.
Junior Dala to Brandon Mavuta. FOUR! 33 runs off the last 8 balls. South Africa are bleeding runs here. Dala errs in line and bowls it down leg, all Mavuta has to do is get some bat on it. He goes, beats a diving Quinton de Kock and finds the fine leg fence.
Junior Dala to Brandon Mavuta. FOUR! Shot. Short and outside off, Mavuta rises on his toes, gets on top of the bounce and crunches it through the covers for a boundary.
Junior Dala comes back on to bowl.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. SIX! Oh, yes it is! Wow. 25 runs off the over, could this be the game-changer? Surely? Shamsi flights this up around off, Moor picks up the length early and gets low quickly. Slog sweeps this hard and sends it deep into the mid-wicket stands for half a dozen.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. SIX! Make that three! This is some superb hitting. Wow. In line of the stumps, Moor is onto the back foot again and muscles this over mid-wicket. Into the stands and that's another biggie. Fourth one incoming?
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. SIX! Two in two from Peter Moor. This is good, clean hitting. It's full, loopy and right in his slot, he puts his front foot forward, gets close to the pitch and slogs it over mid-wicket.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. SIX! Dropped short and Moor dispatches this. Rocks back instantly, swings it with all his might and clears the square leg boundary for a maximum.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brandon Mavuta. Short ball, pulled away into the leg side for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brandon Mavuta. Another attempt for a reverse sweep, another miss. Mavuta is low to hit it away but it spins away and he misses.
Tabraiz Shamsi is brought back on.
Imran Tahir to Brandon Mavuta. Single to end the over as Mavuta knocks it to long on. That brings an end to Tahir's spell. He finishes with figures of 4-0-23-5.
Imran Tahir to Brandon Mavuta. Another audacious effort. Sensational. Tahir loops it up on middle and leg, Mavuta looks to play the reverse sweep but fails to connect and gets hit on the pads.
Imran Tahir to Brandon Mavuta. Works it down in front of mid-wicket for no run.
Imran Tahir to Brandon Mavuta. SIX! NAILED IT! Brandon Mavuta taking the attack to Imran Tahir. Takes some courage, that. He shows all three stumps even before the ball is released, it's the googly but he doesn't care. Just swips it across the line and clears the mid-wicket rope. Amazing hit.
Imran Tahir to Peter Moor. Not much foot movement from PJ Moor. Tossed up leg break on off, it's wristed down to long on from within the crease. The batsmen change ends.
Imran Tahir to Brandon Mavuta. Quicker googly on middle and leg, Mavuta backs away and goes inside out. Clears the infield over covers and takes one for it.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Brandon Mavuta. A short delivery which has been pulled away. They pick up a single.
Brandon Mavuta walks out now.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Tendai Chisoro. OUT! Soft dismissal. Bumper banged in around off, Chisoro rocks onto the back foot and awkwardly mistimes the pull aerially towards the bowler. Phehlukwayo moves a little to his left and takes a dolly. Simplest of wickets, really.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Tendai Chisoro. Through backward square leg again, two more runs result.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Tendai Chisoro. Length ball around leg, goes off Chisoro's pads as he attempts to work it away on the leg side. It rolls away behind square leg and a couple of leg byes are taken.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Tendai Chisoro. On the shorter side of things, outside off, Chisoro throws his bat at that but misses.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. Short of a length outside off, cut square through point for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo back into the attack.
Imran Tahir to Tendai Chisoro. No hat-trick. But a superb delivery nonetheless. Brings out the wrong 'un again as he bowls it on off, Chisoro doesn't have a clue about it and gets beaten past the outside edge.
Tendai Chisoro is out to bat.
Imran Tahir to Elton Chigumbura. FOUR! Second T20I 5-fer. Imran Tahir on fire here tonight and he's on a hat-trick for the second time in this innings. Lands the googly outside off and it spins back in sharply. Chigumbura is half-forward to block but is caught on the front pad. Loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Was clean plumb.
Elton Chigumbura is the new man in.
Imran Tahir to Sean Williams. FOUR! Fourth one of the night for Tahir. He becomes the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in T20Is, going past Dale Steyn. He loops up a lovely leg spinner on the stumps, Williams jumps out to put this away but misses the line altogether. Gets beaten past the outside and hears the death rattle behind. The leggie is on song.
Imran Tahir to Peter Moor. Leans ahead and drives it down to long on for another one.
Imran Tahir to Peter Moor. Shorter this time, punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Imran Tahir to Sean Williams. Bit full, hit down to long on for one run.
Imran Tahir returns.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. Swing and a miss! Going away from the right-hander, on a shorter length, Moor is on the back foot to heave it away. It goes past the bat and into the keeper's gloves.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. The reverse sweep. Sean is on one knee and brooms it away to sweeper cover to change ends.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. The googly around off, Moor stands firm and looks to go big downtown. Can only lift it towards long off on the bounce. Single collected.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. Leg spinner around off, Williams gets low and brings out the sweep, gets it off the inner half behind square leg. One more to the total.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. Quicker one outside off, forced through to sweeper cover for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. Loopy and spinning away from outside off, Williams gets low and drags the slog sweep to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. SIX! HUGE! What a strike! Overpitched ball on off, Moor extends his arms and deposits this over mid-wicket for the first maximum of the innings.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Sean Williams. Length ball on leg, Williams hits it in the gap through mid-wicket to give his partner the strike.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. Moor works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. Smart.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. FOUR! 50 up for Zimbabwe and a good shot to get there. Fuller ball outside off, with mid off up he lofts it over him and that was always going to the fence. Need more of this.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. Length again on middle and leg, punched to mid on. Zimbabwe need to at least rotate the strike.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Peter Moor. Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. Another reverse sweep. Gets into position early and reverse sweeps it but straight to the man at point.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. Leg spinner on leg, lofted over mid-wicket for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Peter Moor. Full and on off, it's been driven superbly through the covers. They manage to come back for the second.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. Uses his feet and flicks this through mid-wicket for a brace.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. The batsman has driven it straight back to the bowler.
Peter Moor is next in.
Junior Dala to Brendan Taylor. OUT! What a catch! Pick that out! Short ball which cramps Taylor for room. He still looks to guide it towards third man but gets a thick edge which flies towards de Kock. Quinton moves to his left, dives and takes the catch with his left hand. Great stuff and some good keeping. Zimbabwe lose another wicket and need more 121 runs to win.
Junior Dala to Brendan Taylor. Outside off, Taylor gets a bottom edge to the keeper.
Junior Dala to Brendan Taylor. Length outside off, Taylor cuts it but a good effort from the debutant, Rassie, saves his team the runs.
Junior Dala to Sean Williams. Good running. Hit far from the fielder at mid on and immediately sets off for the run.
Junior Dala to Sean Williams. Williams gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads.
Junior Dala to Brendan Taylor. Full on middle and leg, hit through mid on and jogs to get to the other end.
Change of ends for Junior Dala.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brendan Taylor. Single to end the over. Hit towards mid-wicket and will retain the strike for the next over.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brendan Taylor. Wide! Short ball down leg. Taylor looks to pull but it is way down leg.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. Plays it through the mid-wicket region and gets to the other end.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Sean Williams. Reverse sweep again and this time gets it past the backward point region. Only just though. Enough time to come back for the second.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brendan Taylor. Stays inside and flicks this behind square for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brendan Taylor. Good shot but straight to the man at backward point. Picks up the ball early and reverse sweeps it to that region.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brendan Taylor. Stifled appeal which dies. Pitched outside leg, Taylor looks to flick but gets hit on his back leg. Also, going down leg that.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Brendan Taylor. Wide! Down the leg side to start with. Straighter one down leg, Taylor leaves it alone.
Tabraiz Shamsi is called to bowl.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Brendan Taylor. Close but makes it. Plays this with soft hands towards mid-wicket and hares to the other end. The fielder goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. One run added to the total. 31/3 in the Powerplay, as compared to South Africa's 52/2.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Brendan Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Brendan Taylor. FOUR! Short ball down the leg side, Taylor looks to pull this but gets a top edge which flies towards the fine leg region for back-to-back boundaries.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Brendan Taylor. FOUR! SHOT! Clears his front leg and carves this to the off side for a boundary. Full in length around off, Taylor makes room and finds the gap through cover-point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Brendan Taylor. Fuller in length this time on leg. Taylor defends this with a straight bat to the on side.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Brendan Taylor. Starts off with a slower one on a back of a length. He angles this into the batsman. Taylor looks to flick it away but misses it completely.
Andile Phehlukwayo to bowl now.
Junior Dala to Sean Williams. Dropped! Tough chance though. Just behind a length, angling across from around off, Williams hits this back aerially towards the bowler. Dala sticks his hands out to his right, but can't keep a hold of it. Just hit too hard.
Junior Dala to Sean Williams. FOUR! Shot. Pure timing from Sean Williams. Fullish in length around off, the left-hander drives it past mid off with the full face of the bat. Shamsi lazily tries to chase it down, but can't stop it. A boundary results.
Junior Dala to Sean Williams. Coming back in on a bit of a fuller length, Williams comes ahead to push it down the ground but gets an inside edge back onto his pads.
Junior Dala to Sean Williams. Sharp bumper. Around off, going away and not much room for Williams to do anything about it. He can only let it go past him.
Junior Dala to Sean Williams. Stays behind the line of this one and defends solidly.
Junior Dala to Brendan Taylor. Fraction straight in line, Taylor works it off his pads away on the leg side for a single.
Junior Dala is into the attack.
Imran Tahir to Sean Williams. Leg spinner on off, driven to mid off. What a terrific over from the spinner, 6 runs and 2 wickets from it.
Imran Tahir to Brendan Taylor. Full on leg, milked away through mid-wicket to get to the other end.
Imran Tahir to Sean Williams. The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total.
Imran Tahir to Sean Williams. FOUR! No hat-trick and no pressure shown from Williams. Full ball on off, Sean gets low and drives this through covers for a good looking boundary.
Sean Williams is the next man in. He's so excited to get in that he doesn't even wait for Musakanda to come towards the dugout. The southpaw will face the hat-trick ball.
Imran Tahir to Tarisai Musakanda. OUT! Imran Tahir is on a hat-trick! Brilliant bowling this. Musakanda makes a comeback to the Zimbabwe team and is out first ball. Googly which is dragged down on off. It spins in, Tarisai is early into his shot as he looks to turn it to the on side. Gets an inside edge onto his thigh pads which goes back behind on the leg side. De Kock moves to his left, dives and takes a good catch.
Tarisai Musakanda is the new man in.
Imran Tahir to Hamilton Masakadza. OUT! Tahir gets another one! Googly and traps the skipper in front of the stumps. Tossed up middle, the ball spins in and hits Masakadza on the leg as he gets low to swipe the ball. He puts in an appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Zimbabwe lose both their openers within 4 overs.
Lungi Ngidi to Brendan Taylor. Looks to get it past point again but cuts it to the man at point.
Lungi Ngidi to Brendan Taylor. FOUR! Finally! This one is a bit full and on middle and off. Taylor gives room and carves it past backward point for a boundary. The first one of the chase.
Lungi Ngidi to Brendan Taylor. Once again. Thrice in 4 balls now. Similar ball and Taylor cannot get it past point.
Lungi Ngidi to Brendan Taylor. Length outside off, Taylor cannot find the gap and gives it to point.
Lungi Ngidi to Brendan Taylor. Outside off again, cut to point.
Lungi Ngidi to Brendan Taylor. Short ball outside off, Taylor gets a bottom edge to that to the slip cordon. Should have looked to cut that away.
Imran Tahir to Hamilton Masakadza. Leg spinner outside off, Masakadza looks to cut it but fails to put bat to ball.
Imran Tahir to Brendan Taylor. Taylor has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Brendan Taylor is in at no.3.
Imran Tahir to Chamu Chibhabha. OUT! Tahir draws first blood. How often have you seen a spinner bowl a yorker and get a wicket? Bowls this one full on off and yorks Chibhabha. The batsman tries to get his bat down but not in time. Off go the bails and Tahir is up and running.
Imran Tahir to Hamilton Masakadza. Two Wides. Misses his line again and bowls this down the leg side. Masakadza looks to sweep it but cannot get bat to ball. De Kock cannot take it cleanly. The ball rolls down to fine leg as they steal a run.
Imran Tahir to Chamu Chibhabha. That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. One run added to the total.
Imran Tahir to Hamilton Masakadza. Strays on the legs again, Masakadza milks it through mid on for a single.
Imran Tahir to Chamu Chibhabha. Leg spinner on leg, flicked away through square leg for one.
Imran Tahir to bowl from the other end.
Lungi Ngidi to Hamilton Masakadza. Good start for South Africa. Just the one run off it. Back of a length ball outside off, punched off the back foot.
Lungi Ngidi to Hamilton Masakadza. Short ball outside off, Masakadza looks to cut it but gets a bottom edge, one bounce to the first slip fielder.
Lungi Ngidi to Hamilton Masakadza. Back of a length ball around off, Hamilton punches it down to mid off.
Lungi Ngidi to Hamilton Masakadza. Change up straigthaway from Lungi. Bowls a cutter outside off, Masakadza leaves it alone.
Lungi Ngidi to Chamu Chibhabha. Length outside off, Chibhabha opens the bat face and guides it to third man to get off the mark.
Lungi Ngidi to Chamu Chibhabha. Comes in from over the wicket and lands it full on middle and off, Chibhabha drives it to mid off.
We have had a 10- minute delay. The groundsmen had taken a last minute call to dry up the outfield due to the moisture. But, we are all set to get the run chase underway now. Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha will open for the visitors while Lungi Ngidi will take the new ball.