Pakistan lose by 4 runs in rain-hit T20

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have been declared winners by four runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method in the first Twenty20 International match after heavy rain that caused a stoppage and made resumption of play impossible.

Pakistan stuck on 60 at the loss of two wickets in 9.1 overs. Ahmed Shehzad and Nasir Jamshed scored 9 and 18 runs respectively.

Earlier, South Africa set a target of 154 runs for Pakistan in the first T20 of the two-match home series.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and put South Africa into bat who could make 153 for seven despite an aggressive start of 72 provided by Quiton de Kock (43) and Hashim Amla (31).

Later, Pakistan bowlers led by spinners Hafeez and Shahid Afridi dismissed three South African batsmen for just 15 runs.

However, the latter batsmen continued the assault but then seamers Junaid Khan and debutant Bilawal Bhatti claimed three more wickets besides a run-out.

Hafeez and Junaid captured two wickets each for 25 and 24, respectively while Afridi and Bhatti took one wicket each.