‘Loose balls in death overs cost us first T20I’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned with the figures of 3-22, attributed the first T20 International loss against South Africa to the bowling loose in death overs that gave the initiative back to the host nation.

In a post-match press conference, Afridi said when David Miller (82) got out, it was generally thought that South Africa would only get around 160. “Then they cut loose and snatched the initiative back from Pakistan with yet another round of power hitting. We have to stay vigilant to restrict the opposition in the death overs to win the next two matches.”

For Pakistan it was fifth defeat against two wins in T20 Internationals since the T20 World Cup held in USA and West Indies. Shaheen praised South Africa for playing better cricket when it mattered the most.

“The hosts played a better brand of cricket when it really mattered.” On the Kingsmead Durban pitch, Shaheen said it was slow with no spin earlier on. “As the match progressed some spin for the bowlers was seen but now we have to pull our socks up and have to plug gaps on our way to win the next two matches and the series.”

The pacer said it was tough to start scoring right away after reaching South Africa. “You need time to adjust and get to the best shape before scoring here.”

South Africa won the toss

South Africa 1st innings 183-9

Pakistan 1st innings

Rizwan c Peter b Maphaka 74

Babar c Simelane b Maphaka 0

Saim c Breetzke b Simelane 31

Usman c Hendricks b Linde 9

Tayyab c Ferreira b Baartman 18

Shaheen st Klaasen b Linde 9

Mohammad c Breetzke b Linde 1

Abbas lbw Linde 0

Haris not out 2

Sufiyan not out 5

Extras: 4b 9lb 2nb 0pen 8w 23

Total: (20.0 overs) 172-8

Fall of Wickets : 1-16 Azam, 2-56 Ayub, 3-75 Khan, 4-109 Tahir, 5-151 Afridi, 6-153 Khan, 7-153 Afridi, 8-166 Rizwan

Bowling: Kwena Maphaka 4-0-39-2, Ottniel Baartman 4-0-26-1, Andile Simelane 4-0-44-1, Nqaba Peter 4-0-29-0, George Linde 4-0-21-4

Result: South Africa won by 11 runs

Player of the match: George Linde

Umpire: Allahudien Paleker: Stephen Harris