Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up imploded once again as South Africa cruised to a comprehensive 55-run victory in the first Twenty20 International at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night, bowling out the hosts for a paltry 139 in 18.1 overs while chasing 195.
Corbin Bosch, the 30-year-old seamer, produced a masterclass in death bowling to finish with career-best figures of 4-14, while left-arm spinner George Linde contributed 3-31 as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 58 runs after a quiet powerplay.
Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, promoted to set the tone, posted a cautious 31 before Lizaad Williams smashed Farhan’s stumps with a bite for 24 off 19 balls.
The dismissal brought Babar Azam into the crease for his long-awaited T20I return, but the former captain lasted just two deliveries, hitting a Bosch short ball straight to cover for a golden duck.
Captain Salman Ali Agha’s miserable night continued when Bosch trapped him in front for two, Pakistan slipping to 43 for three in the eighth over.
Saim, who had worked for 37 off 28 balls with four sixes, finally holed out to Linde, triggering a middle-order crisis.
Usman Khan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, looked composed for his 12 before being stumped charging at Linde. Hasan Nawaz fell for three, bowled by Lungi Ngidi, while Faheem Ashraf’s attempted reverse sweep off Linde bowled him tamely to aim for one.
Mohammad Nawaz offered late resistance with a combative 20-ball 36, including two sixes and four boundaries. His audacious six-pointer off Nandre Burger in the 18th over briefly raised hopes, but he perished in the next over, leaving Williams to long-on.
Shaheen Shah Afridi hit a four before falling to Bosch’s return for four, and Naseem Shah’s spirited nine ended with a slim lead behind the same bowler. Abrar Ahmed was left stranded when Williams sealed the win.
Earlier, Nawaz and Saim were impressive with their spin bowling on a batting-friendly surface to restrict South Africa to 194-9.
Nawaz (3-26) and Saim (2-31) prevented the hosts from scoring more than 200 despite Reeza Hendricks’ half-century.
South Africa, who were put in to bat first after Pakistan won the toss, capitalized on Hendricks’ anchoring 60 and a late flourish from Linde in front of a sell-out crowd.
The Proteas got off to a spectacular start, with Quinton de Kock and Hendricks plundering 44 on the powerplay.
De Kock, who returns to T20 international cricket after a long break, looked in sinister touch, hitting five boundaries in his 23 off 13 balls.
However, Saim, the part-time spinner, struck in the fourth over, leading to a thick edge from De Kock which was caught at point by Faheem.
Tony de Zorzi, on his T20I debut, announced himself with a flurry of hitting, smashing five fours and a six in his 33 off 16. The left-hander’s audacious lofted shot off Salman Ali Agha for six overs was the highlight of a 49-run second-wicket stand with Hendricks.
But Nawaz, introduced in the eighth over, turned the game around. The left-arm spinner fooled De Zorzi with a wide, full delivery from outside off, leaving the batsman stranded while wicketkeeper Usman Khan played a strong knock.
Nawaz was not finished. He accounted for the dangerous Dewald Brevis for nine, the ball skidding down to crash against the stump as the youngster attempted a premeditated sweep.
Matthew Breetzke, promoted to number, struggled to find time and fell at one, playing a short delivery from Saim straight to deep square leg. At 112 for four in the eleventh over, South Africa were reeling.
Captain Donovan Ferreira tried to steady himself, but only managed 10 before Nawaz attacked again, breaking his defenses with a skidded armbar.
Hendricks, who had played a supporting role during the initial bombardment, took charge thereafter. The opener added to his fifty off 32 balls with a high-margin sweep over Saim that sailed for six.
He found a capable ally in Linde, who injected momentum with a 34-ball 36, combined with four boundaries and a six.
The pair added 39 for the sixth wicket, highlighted by Linde’s sweep of Abrar Ahmed for six in the 17th over.
Shaheen, who bowled on the 17th over, was taken for 18 runs, including four streaky boundaries as Linde feasted on the wide. Hendricks looked set for a bigger score, but fell in the 18th, bowled by Abrar while attempting a crosscourt shot.
Naseem removed Linde in the 19th over with a yorker that took away middle stump, while Shaheen returned to dismiss Corbin Bosch, caught at long-on.
The final saw drama when Williams ran out attempting a suicide single, Shaheen’s acrobatic collection and Usman’s presence of mind sealed the innings at 194 for nine.
While Nawaz and Saim flourished, Shaheen and Naseem were expensive, conceding 45 and 34 respectively, but delivered late blows. Abrar, despite going for 42, claimed Hendricks’ prized scalp.
The total, although substantial, could have been higher had South Africa avoided a mid-innings collapse, but in the end it proved to be more than enough.
The second T20I is scheduled for Friday in Lahore. For Pakistan, questions about batting intent, middle-order fragility and captaincy loom large once again.
