After winning the Test series, Pakistan beat South Africa by 3 runs in a thrilling match in the first match of the T20 series thanks to a brilliant century by Mohammad Rizwan to take a 1-0 lead.
In the match played at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, South Africa captain Henry Klaassen won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat first.
When Pakistan started batting, captain Babar Azam returned to the pavilion on the second ball of the first over.
Haider Ali, a young batsman, came to Mohammad Rizwan’s aid and took the offensive line forward, scoring 21 runs, including three sixes.
Hussain Talat and Rizwan completed the team’s half century in the seventh over.
When the team’s score reached 69, Hussain Talat was dismissed for 15 while Mohammad Rizwan continued to bat responsibly and completed a half-century.
TOSS: @OfficialCSA win the toss and elect to field.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
?️Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
⌚ 6:00 pm (PKT)
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Iftikhar Ahmed failed to support Rizwan for a long time and was dismissed for just 4 runs, after which Khushdal Shah came out to bat and scored 12 off 12 balls with the help of a six. Pakistan scored 134 runs. He was the fifth batsman to be dismissed.
Faheem Ashraf also failed to cross the double digits and scored only 4 runs and gave away the wicket to Indel Falkayu.
That’s a biggie! ?
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
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Mohammad Rizwan became the second Pakistani batsman to score a century in T20 and the third batsman to hit more than six sixes in a match.
Before him, Shehzad Ahmed had scored a century in T20 and after him, Muhammad Rizwan got this honor today.
A recap of Power Play!
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
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Pakistan scored 169 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the stipulated overs.
Mohammad Rizwan 104 and Mohammad Nawaz 3 runs remained unbeaten.
South Africa’s Falcao took the most two wickets.
First T20I centurion at the GSL!
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
Ladies and gentlemen, Mohammad Rizwan! ?
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In pursuit of the target, South Africa started confidently and scored 53 runs for the first wicket.
Usman Qadir gave Pakistan its first victory by dismissing Milan who played in a dangerous manner by scoring 44 runs, after which when South Africa’s score was 61 runs, he also dismissed Senman who scored two runs.
Failing to bat, Faheem Ashraf gave Pakistan a crucial wicket in the form of David Miller and thus three South African batsmen were bowled out for 83. However, opener Reza Hedricks continued to bat responsibly.
Pakistan players to score a century in T20Is!@iamAhmadshahzad 111* vs ?? 30 Mar 2014@iMRizwanPak 104* vs ?? TODAY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
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Captain Henrik Klaassen was caught by Haris Rauf for 115 at the hands of Hussain Talat, who scored 12, after which Reza Hendricks’ innings was ended by a fine fielding score of 134.
Reza Hendricks top-scored with 54, including eight fours.
Harris Rauf bowled Falcao for 139 runs.
?????? ???!
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
A wicket for @Qadircricketer ?
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The South African batsmen performed well and fought till the end of the ball and scored 166 runs for the loss of 6 wickets but lost the match by 3 runs.
Usman Qadir and Haris Rauf took 2.2 wickets each.
Match Summary!
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
Pakistan win by three runs.
Scorecard: https://t.co/I8APgc6AwX#PAKvSA | #HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/VLVxBF0u6U pic.twitter.com/PZx4fSnCAn
Both teams were playing their first T20 at Gaddafi Stadium after the Test series.
- Photo: PCB Twitter
It is believed that most of the players of the South African team have returned home after the Test series and will prepare for the Test series against Australia.
For the match, both teams consisted of the following players:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Haider Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdal Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, Usman Qadir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
South Africa: Henry Klaassen (captain), Jenman Milan, Reza Hendricks, Jacques Sneiman, David Miller, Devin Pretoris, Andile Falcao, B. Jorn Fortin, Jr. Dala, Lotho Sepamla, Tabriz Shamsi
The two teams will compete in the second T20 match on February 13 and the third T20 match on February 14 and all three matches will be played in floodlights.
Team line-up for #PAKvSA first T20I.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 11, 2021
?️Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
⌚ 6:00 pm (PST)
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It should be noted that a two-match Test series was played between the teams of Pakistan and South Africa in which the national team won 0-2 and swept the series.
The national team won the first Test in Karachi by 7 wickets and the second and final Test in Rawalpindi by 95 runs to win the Test series against South Africa long after.
After winning the series, the Pakistani team has moved up to fifth position in the ICC Test rankings.
