Pakistan lose by 11 runs in first T20I against South Africa

The South African cricket team defeated Pakistan by 11 runs in the opening match of the three-match T20 series.

Batting first, South Africa set Pakistan a target of 184 runs to win. The Pakistan team, in response, managed to score 172 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.

The first T20I between Pakistan and South Africa took place in Durban, where South African captain Heinrich Klaasen won the toss and chose to bat.

South Africa out up 183/9 in their 20 overs. David Miller and George Linde were the top scorers, with 82 and 48 runs, respectively.

Heinrich Klaasen was dismissed for 12, Reeza Hendricks for 8, and Rassie van der Dussen for seven.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed each took three wickets. Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets, while Sufyan Muqeem took one.

Pakistan's squad for the first T20I against South Africa included captain Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, and Mohammad Irfan Khan Niazi. In addition, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Muqeem, and Abrar Ahmed were also part of the national team for this match.

Chasing the target of 184 in the second innings, Pakistan's response fell short as they finished with 172/8 in their 20 overs.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 74 runs off 62 balls. Saim Ayub contributed 31, while Tayyab Tahir added 18 runs.

Babar Azam was dismissed without scoring, and no other Pakistani batsman reached double figures.

George Linde took four wickets for South Africa, while Migael Maphaka claimed two. Othniel Baartman and Andile Phehlukwayo each took one wicket.

Shaheen Afridi makes history as the first Pakistani to take 100 wickets in every format

Pakistan cricket team's fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, became the country’s first player to take 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.

He achieved this feat in the first T20I against South Africa in Durban on December 10, becoming the third Pakistani player to take 100 wickets in men's T20 Internationals.

In addition to his T20I success, Shaheen has claimed 112 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 116 wickets in Test cricket.

The other two Pakistani bowlers to reach a 100-wicket mark in T20 Internationals are Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan.

The match

The first T20 match between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled for today, December 10, 2024, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The game will start at 9:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

Heinrich Klaasen will lead the Proteas side, as Aiden Markram is being rested to focus on the upcoming Test series. Key players Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs are also being rested for the T20 series but will participate in the One-Day Internationals. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20 squad, with George Linde making a comeback after three years.

On the other hand, the Pakistani squad is led by Mohammad Rizwan, with notable players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. The team aims to build on recent performances and start the series on a positive note.