England crumbled late on to lose the first T20I against South Africa after a brilliant last over bowled by Proteas pacer Lungi Ngidi.
After South Africa registered 177-8 when batting first at Buffalo Park, England looked to be well in control as Jason Roy made 70 to leave the tourists on 132-3 in the 15th over, before wickets started to tumble.
Even so, when Ngidi came in to bowl the final over England were still favorites as they needed just seven off it for victory and had four wickets in their hand.
They could manage just five runs though as Ngidi also took three wickets to send the home crowd wild and propel South Africa into a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
#SAvENG
South Africa Vs England.
What a trilling match 😍😍 pic.twitter.com/T7JvPfWihc— Irfan khan PTI (@Muhamma81056128) February 12, 2020
Superhero stuff as Lungi Ngidi defends seven runs off the last over. South Africa win a nail biter by 1 run in East London. Wow! #SAvENG
— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) February 12, 2020
South Africa has made a sensational victory over England by just one run. What a last over bowling from Lungi Ingidi, well done lads. Now three match T20I series is (1-0) leading by SA. #SAvENG
— दार्चुले प्रतिनिधी🇳🇵 (@DarchuleStar) February 13, 2020
#SAvENG 1st T20I
Wow SA win by 1 run.. last over magic 👌
— Shiva (@Itz_Shiva31) February 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/Barrel_1/status/1227790544434278400
What a Cricket match! One of the best death bowling you'll ever see #ProteaFire #SAvsENG #LungiNgidi pic.twitter.com/vgD9sKnjnt
— Ratombo 🇿🇦 (@stoneman_o) February 12, 2020
#SAvENG – RESULT:
South Africa win by 1 run.
It was a close affair as the Proteas left it late to seal the first T20 match in a nail biting encounter. pic.twitter.com/Coxc66dHDM
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 12, 2020
We did it again!! Brilliant last over by Ngidi 🔥🔥🔥 #ProteaFire #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/LwrxAoMXw2
— DrTwenty2 (@22Mkhize) February 12, 2020
Fewest runs successfully defended in the 20th over for South Africa:
7 runs – Marchant de Lange vs NZ, 2012
7 runs – Dale Steyn vs NZ, 2014
7 runs – LUNGI NGIDI vs ENG, TodayThis is also the first time England lost a T20I by as few as one run. #SAvENG
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 12, 2020
.@NgidiLungi’s final over defending 7 runs against England.
19.1 – 2
19.2 – W
19.3 – 0
19.4 – 2
19.5 – W
19.6 – 1WWhat a finish!🔥🔥🔥👏 #WhistlePodu #SAvENG @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/wowbovKp7q
— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) February 12, 2020
Nerves of steel!
2️⃣ W 0️⃣ 2️⃣ 1️⃣W
Lungisani 'The Fixer' Ngidi#ProteaFire #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/CCyjCL1RIE
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 12, 2020
Thank you Ngidi. 🔥🔥🔥 brilliant over #SAvsENG pic.twitter.com/ByXdSKOUy4
— Khwezi Mathambeka (@Khwezi_Kwesta) February 12, 2020