Dwaine Pretorius’ maiden 5-for in Proteas colours helped reduce Pakistan to 144-7, which the visitors chased down to level the series 1-1 in Lahore, writes Khalid Mohidin.
Dwaine Pretorius was excellent in his approach. He produced the best ever figures by a South African in T20 cricket, taking 5-17 which included the big wicket of Babar Azam upfront.
He trapped the Pakistan skipper lbw, which set the tone for the Proteas.
While the other bowlers were slightly expensive, Pretorius kept things simple with a sprinkle of pace variations and change ups in line and length.
His best spell in the game came in the 19th over, when he picked up two wickets, with a 131 km/h Yorker to dismiss Mohammad Nawaz.
This saw Pakistan reduced to 126-7 by the end of his 4 overs. The hosts managed to still reach 144-7 by the end of their 20 overs.
The Proteas’ chase was bumpy. They lost two wickets in Janneman Malan and Jon-Jon Smuts early as they were reduced to 22-2, but a quick recovery from Reeza Hendricks and Pite van Biljon, who scored 77 off 57 balls partnership, put the Proteas ahead in the match.
Hendricks scored an excellent 30-ball 42 (3 fours and 3 sixes) before his slog sweep skied the ball straight to mid-on.
Van Biljon lost his wicket cheaply, trying to push the ball to mid-on but popped it up to the bowler after a 32-ball 42 (3 fours, 2 sixes), but deserves credit for the way he managed his innings.
Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller finished off the match, as South Africa won by 6 wickets to level the series 1-1.
Miller hit 25 off 19 and Klaasen 17 off 9 as the Proteas won by 6 wickets.
Scorecard
PHOTO: EPA/RAHAT DAR
