In the first T20I of the three-match series between South Africa and West Indies, Rovman Powell won the toss and elected to bowl first at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
In the meantime, rain threatened to play spoilsport, after which the game was curtailed to 11 overs per side.
South Africa’s opening batsman Quinton de Kock was dismissed on the first ball, putting pressure on the hosts. However, Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw provided a good start and were followed by Aiden Markram, who scored 14 off 9 balls. David Miller played a brilliant innings of 48 runs off 22 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. South Africa managed to post a total of 131/8 in 11 overs.
For West Indies, Sheldon Cottrell and Odean Smith took two wickets each, and Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph grabbed one scalp apiece.
West Indies started their chase aggressively, with Brandon King and Kyle Mayers hitting early boundaries. However, both were dismissed early, but Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran continued to score quickly. Powell played a match-winning innings of 43 off 18 balls with 1 four and 5 sixes, helping West Indies win the match by 3 wickets with 9 balls to spare.
For South Africa, Sisanda Magala took three wickets, while Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi bagged one scalp apiece.
Powell was declared the ‘Player of the Match’ for his brilliant knock, which led West Indies to a comfortable victory.
West Indies beat South Africa in the rain-affected 1st T20I.#SAvWI Scorecard: https://t.co/dxI4pFZfQa #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/JZbW4Uxqii
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 25, 2023
