Pakistan humiliated by South Africa in first T20I

DUBAI: Pakistan were defeated by nine wickets against South Africa in the first Twenty20 International here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

This was Pakistan’s first defeat in their sixth T20 international during the current year of 2013.

Chasing an easy target of 99, South Africa completed their big victory in only 14.3 overs.

Quiton de Kock (48) and captain Faf du Plessis (37) steered the team to a comfortable win with their unbeaten 83-run second wicket stand after Hashim Amla was dismissed by Sohail Tanvir for 13 at the score of 16.

Earlier, Pakistan, ranked second in Twenty20 International cricket, failed to make any big score and were restricted to a meager 98 for nine.

After captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and elected to bat first, Pakistan made a disastrous start losing three top order batsmen for only four runs on the board.

However, Umar Akmal later steered Pakistan to avoid an embarrassment of recording their lowest total in a T20 International innings, which was 74 against Australia, made at the same venue in September 2012. But it was Pakistan’s lowest T20 total against South Africa. The previous lowest was 119 made at Abu Dhabi in 2010.

Umar top scored with 49, run out off penultimate ball of the innings. Besides, three other batsmen – Shoaib Malik (12), Shahid Afridi (10) and Abdul Razzaq (10) could reach the double figures.

For South Africa, fast bowler Dale Steyn captured three wickets for 15 while left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe and leg-spinner Imran Tahir claimed two wickets each for nine and 17, respectively.

The second and final T20 international will be played between the two teams on Friday at the same venue.