Despite a rather forgettable start, South Africa reached a respectable 159 for 7 in their 20 overs thanks to an excellent knock from David Miller.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, things could not have started any worse, as Bavuma and Malan were both dismissed without scoring in the first over from Paul Stirling.

Quinton de Kock looked to be in his groove, but Aiden Markram was the next to depart, as Mark Adair went through his defences with a fuller delivery. After de Kock was trapped lbw off Simi Singh and Rassie van der Dussen edged one to the keeper, South Africa was in all kinds of trouble at 58/5.

Fortunately, David Miller and Wiaan Mulder were able to begin the rescue act. Both started rather carefully, but on the last ball of the 15th over, Mulder finally opened up and hit the first six of the game.

Mulder continued to be the aggressor, regularly finding the boundary from then onwards. However, just when the momentum was building, Ireland struck again when he mistimed a slog off Craig Young, straight to extra cover. The Proteas may have been six down, but Miller was ready to click into high gear. He adeptly farmed the strike from that point on, and capitalized on the balls where the bowlers missed their lengths.

It all culminated in the final over – Miller slammed four sixes to reach an unbeaten 75. At one point it seemed like 130 maybe have been a tad out of reach, but a return to form for the Proteas’ resident finisher has provided newfound hope to defend another reasonable competitive total.

SA 159/7 in 20 overs (Miller 75*, Mulder 36 – Stirling 3-0-12-2, Adair 4-0-33-2, Singh 4-0-26-1)