Hendricks’ maiden T20I ton hands SA first series win since August 2022
Van der Dussen scored his seventh T20I fifty to flatten Pakistan
South Africa secured a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in their recent T20I match, held at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Reeza Hendricks stole the show with his maiden T20I century, scoring 117 runs off 63 balls. This impressive performance not only helped South Africa chase down Pakistan’s formidable total but also marked a significant milestone in Hendricks’ career.
The match saw Pakistan post a total of 206/5, thanks to Saim Ayub’s career-best 98* and Babar Azam’s 31. Ayub’s innings was particularly impressive, as he showcased his range of shots and played a crucial role in propelling Pakistan’s score. However, South Africa’s Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen (66*) formed a match-winning partnership of 157 runs to chase down the target.
Debutant Dayyaan Galiem impressed with figures of 2/21, while Jahandad Khan took two crucial wickets to restrict Pakistan’s scoring. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were among the wicket-takers for Pakistan. Despite their efforts, South Africa’s batting lineup proved too strong, and they ultimately emerged victorious.
The win marked South Africa’s first bilateral T20I series win since August 2022 and Rob Walter’s first T20I series win as white-ball coach. This victory is a significant boost for the South African team, which has been working to rebuild and strengthen its lineup.
Reeza Hendricks’ century was a highlight of the match, and his innings showcased his skill and experience. The 34-year-old batsman has been a consistent performer for South Africa in limited-overs cricket, and this century is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
In addition to Hendricks’ impressive performance, van der Dussen’s 66* was also crucial in securing the win for South Africa. His partnership with Hendricks formed the backbone of the chase, and his ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries was instrumental in keeping the pressure off Hendricks.
Pakistan’s Ayub was another standout performer in the match, and his 98* was a career-best score in T20I cricket. The 25-year-old batsman has been making waves in Pakistani cricket circles, and this performance is likely to further cement his place in the national team.
The match also saw the debut of South Africa’s Dayyaan Galiem, who impressed with figures of 2/21. The 24-year-old all-rounder has been making a name for himself in domestic cricket, and this performance is likely to earn him more opportunities in the national team.
Overall, the match was an exciting and closely contested encounter, with both teams showcasing their skills and strengths. South Africa’s win is a significant boost for the team, and they will look to carry this momentum forward in their future matches.