SA beat ZIM by 34 runs | South Africa vs Zimbabwe, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.