Aiden Markram and Janneman Malan’s half-centuries set the platform as the Proteas registered 203/5 in 20 overs against Pakistan at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Pakistan won the toss and put South Africa in to bat first.
South Africa scored ten runs in the first two overs but was then able to accelerate at an astonishing rate, kickstarted by Aiden Markram coming down the track to Pakistani spinner, Mohammad Nawaz, and depositing the last ball of the second over for six. Thereafter, Aiden Markram and Janneman Malan were striking at over 10 runs an over.
Markram dominated Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Nawaz, in his 62-runs off 31-ball knock, which included six boundaries and four sixes. In one Hasan Ali over, Markram hit three boundaries and a six.
Malan’s sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi, particularly one over Extra Cover, were jaw-dropping in his innings of 55 runs off 40 balls. Markram and Malan put on a partnership of 108 runs in 10 overs. In addition to their destructive ball striking, their aggressive running between the wickets put Pakistani fielders under pressure.
The tempo of the innings continued with George Linde being promoted to number 3. Scoring 22 off 11 balls, including a boundary and two sixes, was a valuable cameo that kept South Africa going at ten runs an over. South African skipper, Heinrich Klaasen, also contributed with a useful 15 off 10 balls.
Rassie van der Dussen, who returned to the team after recovering from a quadricep injury, scored a fantastic 34 off 20 balls, including one boundary and two sixes. His versatility was on display as he rotated strike early on, after which he was able to launch. A six over Square Leg off Shaheen Shah Afridi, followed by a deft boundary piercing the gap between Gully and Point were the highlights of van der Dussen’s knock.
