December 10, 2024

 All-round Linde and Miller Lead South Africa to 1-0 Lead

George Linde made an electrifying return to international cricket, producing a match-winning all-round performance in South Africa’s 11-run victory over Pakistan in the first T20I at Kingsmead, Durban. Linde’s 48 off 24 balls with the bat and 4 for 21 with the ball helped South Africa defend a target of 184. His outstanding bowling in the middle overs kept Pakistan in check, while his quickfire knock with the bat added crucial runs. Although he thought he had a hat-trick in the penultimate over, a review denied him the glory, but it didn’t diminish his Player-of-the-Match performance.

South Africa’s innings was anchored by a magnificent 82 off 40 balls from David Miller. Despite early breakthroughs by Pakistan, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed removing Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, and Matthew Breetzke, Miller’s dominance ensured the runs kept flowing. Pakistan’s spinners, on a flat Durban pitch, were unable to make the impact they had hoped for, allowing South Africa to post a challenging total.

Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing captain Babar Azam for a duck early on. However, Saim Ayub provided some hope with a quickfire start. Rizwan, who faced the first ball, struggled early, taking 44 deliveries to score 36. Pakistan’s middle order, inexperienced and under pressure, couldn’t keep up with the required run rate, which allowed South Africa to keep picking up regular wickets. Pakistan found themselves running out of overs and batters.

With 24 runs coming off an errant 17th over from 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka, Pakistan suddenly found themselves back in the game. Rizwan’s aggressive hitting, including two sixes and three fours, brought the target down to 19 off the final over. However, Maphaka redeemed himself in the 20th over, dismissing Rizwan with a well-disguised slower ball. Pakistan’s early struggles with the bat and lack of control in the death overs ultimately cost them, and South Africa clinched a clinical victory.

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The David Miller Show

David Miller is known for his explosive hitting in the middle and late overs, but in this match, he showed his all-around batting skills after early wickets fell. Coming in at No. 4 with South Africa in a tricky position, Miller demonstrated that his timing and technique were just as impressive as his power. He started confidently, taking advantage of the powerplay by flicking Shaheen Shah Afridi for a boundary and then driving him through the covers for another.

Miller’s impeccable timing was evident when he faced left-arm wristspinner Sufiyan Muqeem. Trying to keep the ball wide of off-stump, Muqeem couldn’t stop Miller from executing a clean shot over extra cover, sending the ball sailing past the fielder. Just two balls later, Miller repeated the shot, this time with even more ease, showing his dominance.

Miller continued to dominate, particularly against the spinners. In the 10th over, he unleashed a brutal assault on Abrar Ahmed, hitting three consecutive sixes. By the time Miller was dismissed, he had scored 82 of South Africa’s 125 runs, completely changing the game. His powerful hitting and smart shot selection were key in guiding South Africa to a competitive total.

Linde Makes Rizwan’s Gamble Backfire

Tactics are often judged by their outcomes rather than the thought processes behind them, and George Linde made sure that Mohammad Rizwan’s aggressive death-overs strategy backfired on Pakistan. After David Miller’s dismissal and two more quick wickets reduced South Africa to 141 for 8, Rizwan sensed an opportunity to bowl South Africa out. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abbas Afridi, and Haris Rauf were all bowled out by the 19th over, and Pakistan likely hoped they could wrap up South Africa’s innings by then. However, Linde’s contribution in the final overs turned the tide in South Africa’s favor.

However, things didn’t go as planned for Pakistan. Linde expertly managed the strike, and with Maphaka hitting the occasional boundary, the pressure was relieved. When Muqeem came on to bowl the final over, Linde’s refusal of a single off the first ball made his intentions clear. Muqeem struggled with his length, with three of his last five deliveries going for sixes. Linde finally miscued the last ball to deep cow corner, but by then, South Africa had already posted a formidable total of 183. Pakistan’s hopes of limiting them to a subpar total were dashed.

Rizwan and Babar: A Partnership for the Ages?

The obituary for Pakistan’s opening partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam has been written many times, but in a steep chase, it was those two who walked out to bat while Saim Ayub sat in the dugout. Both looked out of sync and struggled to match the required pace. Babar, nearly dismissed off the first ball by Maphaka, ultimately fell for a duck on the fourth ball.

Ayub, however, quickly showed why he is so dangerous in the powerplay. With a combination of power and flair, he hammered seven boundaries in his first 13 balls, racing to 31. Once the field spread, his effectiveness waned, and he holed out to sweeper cover after just two balls post-powerplay. Despite his early fireworks, one couldn’t help but wonder how much more he could have added had he opened. As the match reached its final stages, it became clear how every run would have counted.

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