SA Win By 11 Runs | South Africa vs Pakistan Highlights of 1st T20I 2024: David Miller's Half-Century, George Linde's All-Round Performance Help Hosts Kickoff Series With Victory

That's It! A stunning victory for South Africa in the end. They started very poorly with the bat with the top order collapsing in no time. It was David Miller who started the fightback and when even that looked not enough, George Linde made sure they go to a solid score. The bowlers did just enough to keep Pakistan at bay from the target. Linde was impressive with the ball too. The hosts take a 1-0 lead in the series with this victory.  

Out! That is in all likelihood the end of all hopes for Pakistan. Mohammad Rizwan goes for a hoik. Gets the top edge and the third man settles comfortably to complete the catch. Too little too late from Rizwan. Rizwan c Nqabayomzi Peter b Kwena Maphaka 74(62).

Out! George Linde slips in the arm-ball and deceives the batter for pace, Abbas is stuck to the crease and is late in bringing his bat down, the ball crashes into the back pad. Mohammad Rizwan is running out of partners now.  Abbas Afridi lbw b Linde 0(1).

Out! Irfan Khan fails to help Mohammad Rizwan. Lofts One over the head of the bowler but the fielder had no trouble taking a simple catch. Pakistan in trouble now. Irfan Khan c Breetzke b Linde 1(2).

With 36 runs needed at the last three overs, Mohammad Rizwan has ticked the box of taking the game deep. Now it is on him to press the accelerator and finish the game. His wicket will put Pakistan in tremendous pressure. 

Out! Finally the pressure of the asking rate got to Tayyab Tahir. Was a short pitched delivery from Ottneil Baartman and Tahir went down the ground. No power in it and long on settles to take an easy catch. Tayyab Tahir c Ferreira b Ottneil Baartman 18(18) .

After some quick loss of wickets, Mohammad Rizwan and Tayyab Tahir have steadied the ship with some occasional boundaries and ticked the scoreboard along. But it is now to put the foot on the accelerator as the asking rate keeps going high. 

Out! Usman holes out while playing the big shot. He had no choice but to go for it as the asking rate was climbing. Goes for the slog sweep and the ball doesn't travel far. Pakistan are in trouble here. Usman Khan c Reeza Hendricks b Linde 9(8).

Out! Just what the doctor ordered for South Africa. After playing a breezy knock, Saim Ayub is dismissed. Tries to go over the top on the offside, doesn't get on top of the bounce and gets caught just outside the circle. Solid blow for Pakistan. Saim Ayub c Breetzke b Simelane 31(15).

After Saim Ayub came in the Pakistan innings has found some momentum and they are off to a good start in the powerplay. Heinrich Klaasen has tried rotating his bowlers but the Pak batters have tackled it well. 

Out! Babar goes for a duck. The old experiment of promoting himself to the opening has not worked. Pressure was building so he tried going over the third man but got a top edge straight into the hands of the deep fielder. Proteas draw first blood. Babar Azam c Simelane b Kwena Maphaka 0(4).

That's It! Oh some innings from George Linde. Comes in into the side after a long time and how he makes an impact. Hits three sixes in the last over to take an average score to a very competitive score. Miller and Linde were the only shining stars for the Proteas but they will be happy that they have something to bowl at. 

Out! South Africa are kind of losing it here. Nqaba Peter goes for the big hoik and misses the ball from Shaheen Shah Afridi gets caught on the pads. Opts for DRS but umpires call shown on hitting. Pakistan on top here. Nqabayomzi Peter lbw b Shaheen Afridi 3(7).

Out!  Floated up on a length just outside off by Abrar Ahmed, Andile Simelane ran down the track and had a wild hack, had no idea which way that was turning. Mohammad Rizwan had an easy job to do. South Africa know it is a good pitch to bat on but not much they can do here. Simelane st Rizwan b Abrar Ahmed 1(4).

Out! Body blow for South Africa. The one who was absolutely battering it all over the park is gone now. Got hold of the short pitched stuff from Shaheen Shah Afridi but it went flat into the hands of deep square legs hand. South Africa needs to get to comeptitive score now. Miller c Irfan Khan b Shaheen Afridi 82(40).

Out! Soft dismissal and Donovan Ferriera fails to take his chance. Short pitched at his body, Ferreira just tries to nudge it to the onside and ends up playing straight to the hands of short square leg. Meanwhile, Miller continued taking down the bowlers. Ferreira c Sufiyan Muqeem b Abbas Afridi 7(6).

Fifty! Amid the chaos of the Proteas top order, David Miller has remained a shining star. Now he completes his half-century. Hasn't really forced the ball and rather looked to time it. Reaches the half-century with a six. 

Out! Huge blow for South Africa. Their captain perishes. Heinrich Klaasen goes for the big shot to Abbas Afridi but doesnt get the distance, gets caught at the cow corner. Pakistan are celebrating as they know the worth of the wicket. Klaasen c Irfan Khan b Abbas Afridi 12(13).

Not the best of starts for the Proteas in the powerplay and with captain Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller on the crease, they will now look to stabilise the innings using their immense experience. 

Out! Abrar Ahmed strikes again and Pakistan's plan work. It was a googly and Reeza Henrdricks wanted to move and make room to cut it on the offside. The balls skidded fast and broke his furniture. Breakthrough for Pakistan. Reeza Hendricks b Abrar Ahmed 8(9).