Centurion (web Desk): South Africa sealed an emphatic seven-wicket win over Pakistan, putting them 2-0 up in the three-match T20 series with one game to go.
The Proteas were chasing down a challenging target of 207 at SuperSport Park, Centurion, and despite losing early wickets, they cruised home thanks to remarkable knocks from Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen.
Pakistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat, posted a competitive total of 206/5.
The star of their innings was Saim Ayub, who played a dazzling knock of 98 not out off 57 balls. He was the cornerstone of Pakistan's innings, striking 11 boundaries and five sixes, including some big hits that kept the scoreboard ticking along at a healthy rate.
Although the early departure of Mohammad Rizwan (11 off 13 balls) and a quick-fire 31 from Babar Azam couldn’t sustain the momentum, Saim continued to strike with authority. He formed a crucial stand with Muhammad Irfan Khan, who contributed a rapid 30 runs off just 16 balls before falling in the final over.
As Pakistan’s innings came to a close, Saim was left stranded on the brink of a century, with his efforts single-handedly lifting his side to a challenging total.
South Africa’s bowlers, led by Dayyaan Galiem and Ottneil Baartman, who each claimed two wickets, kept the pressure on, but couldn’t stop Saim’s brilliance from leading his team to a solid total.
In reply, South Africa’s chase got off to an uncertain start, with Ryan Rickleton (2 off 2 balls) and Matthew Breetzke (12 off 10 balls) both failing to get going. But Hendricks provided the stability and aggression that was needed. Anchoring the innings, he played a sensational knock, racking up 117 runs off just 63 balls. His innings was a masterclass in clean hitting, with seven fours and a whopping ten sixes, as he dismantled the Pakistani bowlers with ease.
Van der Dussen, too, played a key supporting role, adding 66 runs off 38 balls, including three fours and five sixes. The pair made light work of the target, and despite some late wickets from Jahandad Khan and Abbas Afridi, South Africa reached their target with relative ease in the 19th over. Hendricks and van der Dussen's partnership was the defining moment of the match, as they took South Africa home with seven wickets to spare.
The result all but secured the series for South Africa, who have looked dominant in both matches so far.
Hendricks’ breathtaking century and van der Dussen’s explosive cameo highlighted South Africa’s depth and power in T20 cricket, as they stormed past a solid Pakistani total.
Teams
South Africa: Reeze Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (captain and wicketkeeper), Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Dayyaan Galiem, Ottneil Baartman, Nqaba Peter and Kwena Maphaka.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.
