Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st T20I - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: South Africa tour of Pakistan, 2021 Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Date & Time: Feb 11, 06:00 PM LOCAL

Mohammad Rizwan scored his maiden T20I century © AFP

Dwaine Pretorius and Bjorn Fortuin's late cameos helped South Africa remain alive in the contest till the last ball, with six runs needed but Faheem Ashraf held his nerves and bowled a yorker with which South Africa could pick only two runs. Pakistan managed to clinch what eventually proved to be a thriller, eventhough for most parts they looked comfortably ahead in the contest. Mohammad Rizwan's century in the end, proved to be the difference between the two sides as Pakistan went 1-up in the T20I series.

19 needed off 6 balls

WICKETSSouth Africa have lost both their set batters in a space of 4 deliveries. Reeza Hendricks is run out and Andile Phehlukwayo flicks to Haider Ali at long on. The equation has now become too stiff for the visitors- 31 off 13.

WICKETFaheem Ashraf has struck! The medium pacer's impressive run continues in the shortest format as well. David Miller has edged an angling away delivery to the 'keeper. Big strike at an important time for Pakistan.

Live:

10 1

TOSS: South Africa have won the toss and elected to field

Teams:

South Africa (Playing XI): Janneman Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Jacques Snyman, Heinrich Klaasen (c/wk), David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Tabraiz Shamsi

Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Haider Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Qadir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Hello and welcome to the first T20I between Pakistan and South Africa, set to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After having clean-swept the tourists in the Test series, Pakistan will be riding high on confidence. And to make things easier for them, South Africa won't be coming full-strength at them even in the 20-over format, with several of their key players opting out of the series in order to remain fresh for the challenge against Australia which was eventually postponed. However, can the Heinrich Klassen-led South Africa spring a surprise?