A controlled bowling effort enabled Pakistan to hold South Africa to 139/9 in the three T20I match in Gaddafi Stadium, which guaranteed momentum in the last game of the series. The move by Captain Salman Ali Agha to go out first was strategic since his bowlers implemented plans to the latter.
The leadership of the attack was carried out by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who sacked Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in favor of ducks, and South Africa went down on the back foot at the beginning. Dewald Brevis and Reeza Hendricks attempted to reconstruct the innings with cautious batting with, adding of 38 runs before Brevis was dismissed by a debutant Usman Tariq. The visitors were led in the batting by Hendricks, who scored 34 out of 36 balls, but was wicketed by Tariq, which meant that the hold that Pakistan had over the game was not lost.
Ferreira had a fire-starter in Donovan Ferreira with a 14-ball 29, three sixes, four, but he was sent home quickly by Faheem Ashraf. Faheem was then followed by wicket of George Linde and the visitors were reduced to 76/6 in 11.5 over. Corbin Bosch (30*) and Andile Simelane (13) gave weak opposition in lower orders but Pakistan still prevailed.
Shaheen concluded with great statistics of 3/26 in four overs. Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq were successful in taking two wickets each, Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Mirza were successful in taking one wicket each. The effective work of the team gives emphasis to the great depth and coordination of Pakistan bowling at T20 level.
Pakistan will be confident in pursuing the chase as South Africa has registered a subpar total. The game supported early breakthroughs, narrow bowling and pressure building tactics that enabled the home side to dominate the game at the very beginning. The quality performance in Pakistan will enhance morale and give a good ground upon which the team may achieve success in the future series.
