South Africa vs Pakistan, 4th T20I: Pakistan beat South Africa and take T20I series 3-1

In another thrilling contest between these two sides, the Proteas did not manage to square the series by beating Pakistan, at Supersport Park, Centurion today. Pakistan won by 3 wickets.

Match Summary

South Africa 144/10 (19.3 ov)

Pakistan 149/7 (19.5 ov)

Result – Pakistan won by 3 wickets

Scorecard

Pakistan win the fourth #SAvPAK T20I by 3 wickets and the series 3-1

Scorecard: https://t.co/Kzs35ZkqSH

#HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/KufqErjnR6

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 16, 2021

 

Match Report - Salim Parvez - A cliff hanger of a T20I

 It makes a nice change to see the ball dominating a T20I and the fourth and last match of the series, between South Africa and Pakistan, was one such contest. A low scoring game that swung both ways could have been won by either side. In the end, two sixes over square-leg in the closing moments by left-handed Mohammad Nawaz (25 not out), a useful bowling all-rounder, saw his team home with only a ball to spare chasing South Africa’s modest 144, for Pakistan to win the series 3-1.

Put in to bat first by Pakistan captain Babar Azam, South Africa were well placed at 53-1 after six overs of powerplay. They could justifiably set their sights on a total of 200, when Janneman Malan (33) and Rassie van der Dussen (52 off 36 balls) had taken the score to 73-1 in the 9^th over. Once they were separated, the innings lost its momentum and Pakistan pace attack ran through the rest of the line-up. Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali, with three wickets apiece, were the two men behind South Africa losing nine wickets for 71 runs. Their final total of 144 in 19.3 overs was unlikely to challenge Pakistan or was it?

On similar pattern to South Africa, Pakistan too started with confidence and with Fakhar Zaman smashing 60 off 34 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes had got to 92-1 in the 10^th over. In no time their middle order was blown away with Asif Ali and Haider Ali failing again. South Africa by claiming six wickets for 37 runs in 9 overs were back in the hunt. 16 runs were still needed off the last 12 balls and Faheem’s wicket, following a dot ball, was a big moment for the home side. The situation now required a cool head and Nawaz provided that to calm the Pakistan dressing room. A thrilling end to the T20I series that could have been more competitive, if South Africa had not allowed their key players to fly out to play in the IPL.

 

 

Match Highlights

Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first against the hosts South Africa, who only managed to total 144 all out in 19.3 overs. Rassie van der Dussen 53 and Janneman Malan 33 top scored and Hasan Ali 3-40 and Faheem Ashraf 3-17 were the top wicket takers for Pakistan

 

Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Aiden Markram - 1.6 ov), 2-73 (Janneman Malan - 8.3 ov), 3-109 (Heinrich Klaasen - 12.5 ov), 4-112 (Rassie van der Dussen - 13.3 ov), 5-119 (George Linde - 14.6 ov), 6-121 (Wiaan Mulder - 15.4 ov), 7-122 (Andile Phehlukwayo - 15.5 ov), 8-141 (Sisanda Magala - 17.6 ov), 9-142 (Bjorn Fortuin - 18.3 ov), 10-144 (Tabraiz Shamsi - 19.3 ov)

In reply, Pakistan was cruising it until they lost 5 wickets for just 23 runs. However, Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali managed to get them over the line.

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Mohammad Rizwan - 0.3 ov), 2-92 (Fakhar Zaman - 9.2 ov), 3-98 (Babar Azam - 9.5 ov), 4-104 (Haider Ali - 11.2 ov), 5-110 (Mohammad Hafeez - 13.4 ov), 6-115 (Asif Ali - 14.3 ov), 7-129 (Faheem Ashraf - 18.2 ov)

 

Playing XIs

South Africa - Aiden Markram, Janneman Malan, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen(c)(wk), George Linde, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi

Pakistan - Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

 

 

Match Details

Start Time: 13:30

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and decided to field

Venue: Supersport Park, Centurion

Officials: Adrian Holdstock, Shaun George, Allahudien Paleker, Bongani Jele, Andrew Pycroft

©Cricket World 2021