• Pakistan faced a 11-run defeat against South Africa during their pursuit of a challenging target in the 1st T20I.

  • Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan's 74-run knock became the focal point of post-match discussions.

“Proper Dhoni knock”: Pakistan fans slam Mohammad Rizwan for match-losing innings against South Africa in the 1st T20I
Mohammad Rizwan (Image Source: X)

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The first T20I between Pakistan and South Africa at Kingsmead Stadium, Durban on Tuesday (December 10) was a rollercoaster of emotions, packed with drama and high stakes. At the center of attention was Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, whose 74-run knock became the focal point of post-match discussions. While his innings featured moments of brilliance, it was overshadowed by his overly cautious approach, which played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 11-run defeat during their pursuit of a challenging 184-run target.

Mohammad Rizwan’s ultra-conservative start

Pakistan’s chase got off to a rocky start with the early dismissal of Babar Azam for a duck. As captain and opener, Rizwan shouldered the responsibility of anchoring the innings but adopted an overly conservative strategy. His approach saw him take 50 balls to reach his half-century, an unusually slow pace in T20 cricket.

This cautious start allowed South Africa to tighten their grip on the match as the required run rate soared to daunting levels. By the 16th over, Pakistan needed over 15 runs per over, and Rizwan, scoring below a run a ball until then, had contributed only two boundaries since the powerplay. The inability to maintain momentum left Pakistan struggling to keep up with the demanding chase.

A late burst of brilliance

Rizwan did attempt to salvage the innings in the 17th over, smashing two towering sixes off Kwena Maphaka and collecting 24 runs. However, by then, the damage was already done. South Africa’s George Linde responded with a match-turning 18th over, dismissing key batters and breaking Pakistan’s resistance. Linde’s exceptional spell of 4-21, coupled with his earlier 48 off just 24 balls, underscored his all-round dominance in the match. Despite Rizwan’s late flurry, including three boundaries in the penultimate over, Pakistan couldn’t bridge the gap. Rizwan was dismissed in the final over after a painstaking 74 off 62 deliveries, and Pakistan ultimately fell short by 11 runs.

Also READ: SA vs PAK 2024: Mohammed Rizwan’s knock in vain as George Linde seals the win for South Africa in 1st T20I

South Africa’s dominance against Pakistan

South Africa’s victory was built on the heroics of David Miller and Linde. Miller’s explosive 82 off 40 balls, featuring eight massive sixes, laid the foundation for a formidable total of 183/9. Linde’s contributions with both bat and ball were equally impactful, cementing his status as the match-winner. The Proteas’ disciplined bowling attack complemented their aggressive batting, ensuring that Pakistan never gained the upper hand despite a few moments of brilliance from Rizwan.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: SA vs PAK 2024, T20I Series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, USA, South Africa, Pakistan & other countries

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AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
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