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South Africa defeated Pakistan by s🤪ix wickets in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to level the three-match series⛦ 1-1.
Proteas Fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius was the main highlight in the match after he recorded the best figures in the shortest format to help his team dominate the hosts. The 31-year-old picked up a five-wicket haul for 17 runs to keep Pakistan down to 144/7 in 20 overs. Previously, medium-pacer Ryan McLaren 𝓀achieved the best figures for South Africa when he claimed 5/19 against West Indies in 2010.
Mohammad Rizwan, who smashed a splendid cent𓃲ury in the series opener, shined with the willow once again as he top-scored for Pakistan with 51 runs off 41 balls. He slammed seven boundaries, including and a six. Apart from Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf score a quickfire 12-ball 30 not out.
In reply, Pite van Biljon (42) and Reeza Hendricks (42) took South Africa over the finish line in 16.2 overs. However, they got off to a poor start after Pakistan’s lanky paceman Shaheen Afridi drew the first blood by dismissing Janneman Malan on the second ball of the innings. Afridi continued the momentum and removed Jon-Jon Smuts in his following over.
Then, Hendricks and Biljon steadied the ship and formed a much-needed 77-run partnership for the third wicket before both fell in successive overs. Hendricks smashed three sixes and as many fours in his 30-ball 42 run knock. He was finally caught off leg-spinner Usman Qadir in the 12th over.
In the very next over, Mohammad Nawaz sent Biljon ဣback to the pavilion. The batsman slammed tw🌳o sixes and three fours during his 42 run inning.
Experienced lad David Miller (25 not out) and Proteas captain Heinrich Klaasen (17 not out) added unbeaten stand✃ of 40 runs for the fifth wickജet to get their team across the line.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Dwaine Pretorius 5-17 today
– Best figures for RSA in T20Is
– Best figures vs PAK in T20Is
– First ever T20I 5-for in Pakistan— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
Dwaine Pretor💮ius makes it all to play for with his recordꦺ-breaking figures in the second T20I against Pakistan 🎯
— ICC (@ICC)
C🦩rushing win for South Africa.ꩵ Ruthlessly efficient, and well-deserved
— Fawad Ahmad (@FawadAahmed)
Once again very well played good job & what an amazing bowling Dwaine Pretorius 5-17 best ever bowling𝓡 figure in T20 for
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23)
Mohammad Rizwan last 10 scores for Pakistan:
51, 104*, 18, 115*, 33, 61, 10, 71, 60 and 89
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)
I would h🐼ave played an extra spinner, selected Sohaib Maqsood and made a turner.. Batting was disappointing!!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja)
A well deserved win for South Africa. Took advantage of winning the toss, put in a disciplined performance with the ball and took advantage of Pakistan's lapses to even the series 1-1. If only there was an experienced player available who could help steady that middle order…
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
A wicket maiden by Shaheen Afridi 👏👏
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited)
First T20I loss at home for Babar Azam as a Captai🌜n!
His T20I record at home:
Win vs. 🇧🇩
Win vs. 🇧🇩
Win vs. 🇿🇼
Win vs. 🇿🇼
Win vs. 🇿🇼
Win vs. 🇿🇦
Lost vs. 🇿🇦 |— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric)
South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 wickets and level the T20 series 1-1 with decider to be played on Sunday. Star of the match was Pretorius with 5 wickets and key finishing from Miller – Klaasen made it easy for South Africa.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
In just 13 T2꧙0I matches of his career, Dwaine Pretorius recorded his top score o꧅f 77* and best bowling figures of 5/17.
Amo🧔ng all players who took a five-wicket haul in T20Is, on𓂃ly Shakib Al Hasan has a higher score with the bat (82).
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Congratulations South Africa .Player of the match Dwaine Pretorius! 🦹|
— Muhammad Noman (@Nomancricket29)
Great bowling performance from Dwaine Pretorius who now has the best bowling figures by a South African men's player in T20 Internationals. All set for a fab finale on Valentines Day tomorrow
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM)
To be honest, Dwaine Pretorius has always bowled well for the Proteas and always gave his heart but they still won't give him consistent run in the side…
— Gontse Matea (@Gontse_Matea)
Dwaine Pretorius in today’s T20
— ExcelBoy (@Shaun_Analytics)