After winning the toss and electing to field, South Africa restricted Pakistan to 320/7 , after a 112-run opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul-Haq threatened to take Pakistan to 350.
Opening the bowling with Aiden Markram proved to be a masterstroke, as South Africa’s spin trio consisting of Keshav Maharaj, Markram, and Jon Jon Smuts took six of the seven wickets that fell today.
Keshav Maharaj, the pick of the bowlers, took three wickets, and conceded 45 runs in the ten overs he bowled. In the 36th over, Maharaj took Fakhar Zaman’s wicket, and beat Mohammad Rizwan’s bat thrice, triggering a collapse that cost Pakistan five wickets for 51 runs.
Aiden Markram, in his ten overs, conceded 48 runs, and took the important wickets of Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz.
Jon Jon Smuts took one wicket in his eight overs, and conceded 67 runs. Smuts’ last over cost South Africa 25 runs, as Hassan Ali launched a spectacular assault that, ultimately, propelled Pakistan to 320.
Andile Phehlukwayo was the only seamer among the wickets today, taking Babar Azam off the last ball of innings.
Temba Bavuma’s captaincy was praiseworthy, given the way in which he rotated his spinners, and had Maharaj and Markram complete their quotas of ten overs.
The fast bowling quartet of Beuran Hendricks, Lutho Sipamla, Daryn Dupavillon, and Andile Phehlukwayo, bowled seven, six, five, and four overs, respectively, after they were unable to provide regular breakthroughs.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
