CENTURION: Saim Ayub’s unbeaten 98 went in vain as Reeza Hendricks smashed a blistering century to steer South Africa to a crushing victory in the second T20I against Pakistan here at SuperSport Park on Friday.
South Africa successfully chased a target of 207 runs, achieving the total with three balls to spare, and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The hosts faced a tumultuous beginning to their innings as Jahandad Khan removed Ryan Rickelton (2) and then Matthew Breetzke (12) within the span of successive overs. This early onslaught left South Africa reeling at a precarious 28-2 after only four overs.
Rassie van der Dussen stepped in and partnered with Reeza Hendricks to orchestrate a remarkable turnaround. The duo formed a formidable alliance, amassing a significant 157-run partnership for the third wicket.
Their marathon stand finally came to an end in the 18th over, when Abbas Afridi managed to dismiss Hendricks. The right-handed opener played an explosive innings that included 117 runs off just 63 balls, peppered with seven boundaries and a staggering 10 sixes.
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Van der Dussen then forged an unbeaten 25-run partnership with captain Heinrich Klaasen (8*), guiding his side to a series-clinching victory. He smashed three fours and five sixes on his way to a 38-ball 66.
On the bowling front for Pakistan, Jahandad Khan shone with two wickets to his name, while Abbas Afridi chipped in with one wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat first, however, he fell in the fourth over with only 16 runs on the board.
Saim Ayub was joined by Babar Azam and together they added 87 runs for the second wicket from 45 balls before last match’s hero George Linde struck again.
Babar, who struck three fours and one six on his way to 31, fell prey to Linde.
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Meanwhile, debutant Dayyaan Galiem dismissed Usman Khan (3) and Tayyab Tahir (6) in consecutive overs to leave Pakistan reeling at 122-4.
Irfan Khan (30) then joined Saim and they helped Pakistan recover from the mini-collapse as they smashed 73 runs from 32 balls before the former fell in the final over.
Saim Ayub missed his much-deserved century as new batter Abbas Afridi played the remaining four balls, hitting 11 runs with one six and one four to take Pakistan’s total to 206-5.
The left-handed opening batter remained unbeaten on 98 after conceding 57 balls. His innings featured five sixes and 11 fours.
For South Africa, Galiem and Ottneil Baartman took two wickets each, while Linde bagged one.
READ: Babar Azam close to surpass Shahid Afridi’s record in second South Africa T20I