Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Reeza Hendricks’ elegant half-century and Corbin Bosch’s incisive four-wicket haul powered South Africa to a convincing 55-run win over Pakistan in the opening T20I at Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Chasing 195, Pakistan were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs. The hosts began steadily as Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub added 31 runs before Lizaad Williams bowled Farhan for 24 in the fifth over.
Bosch then struck twice in quick succession, removing Babar Azam for a two-ball duck and captain Salman Ali Agha for two, leaving Pakistan reeling at 43 for three. Ayub fought back with an aggressive 37 off 28 balls, hitting four sixes and a four, but fell to George Linde in the 11th over.
His dismissal triggered a collapse, with Pakistan losing six wickets for 54 runs. Mohammad Nawaz tried to resist with 36 off 20 balls, including four fours and two sixes, but was dismissed by Williams. Bosch claimed four wickets, Linde three, and Williams two as Pakistan’s chase folded.
Earlier, South Africa put up 194 for nine after being asked to bat. Quinton de Kock and Hendricks added 44 in just four overs before Ayub removed de Kock for a brisk 23 off 13 balls.
Debutant Tony de Zorzi made a quick 33 from 16 deliveries with five fours and a six, sharing a 49-run stand with Hendricks before falling to Nawaz.
Hendricks anchored the innings with a composed 60 off 40 balls, hitting five fours and a six, and added useful partnerships with Donovan Ferreira (10) and George Linde (36).
Linde’s 22-ball knock, featuring four fours and a six, lifted South Africa close to 200 before Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked late wickets.
Nawaz was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers with three for 26, while Ayub took two and the others chipped in with one each as South Africa secured a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Teams
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira (c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi