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Home » Live Cricket Score » South Africa in Pakistan, 3 T20I Series, 2021 » commentary

Pakistan vs South Africa Live Commentary, 2nd T20, South Africa in Pakistan, 3 T20I Series, 2021, February 13, 2021

PAK 144/7 (20)
South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 wickets
SA 145/4 (16.2)
Match over
Pakistan Inning South Africa Inning
0.0 : Bangladesh vs West Indies. Then, India vs England. A long day. Tired? No, that cannot be an answer from a cricket fan. The fun is not over yet. There is one more international match remaining, with Pakistan taking on South Africa in the second of three T20Is. Kind people will say that the Proteas showed brilliant fight on Thursday evening, but if the truth be actually told, the Men In Green who lost, will believe that the Men In Green who won, should have lost. Hello and a warm welcome to the se
Bat first? Bowl first? Too much confusion. There is dew around, but as South Africa found out in the last game, it does not actually hamper the bowlers in the second innings. Strangely, it affects the ones bowling first more. It is really bizarre, with Heinrich Klaasen saying that the dew is visible, but not actually felt. Ahem? The pitch started to grip and turn in the second innings and the captain winning the toss has plenty to think about. 
TOSS - We have the result of the flip of the coin. Heinrich Klaasen has called it correctly and ELECTED TO CHASE.
South Africa (Playing XI) - Janneman Malan, Reeza Hendricks, JJ Smuts (IN FOR JACQUES SNYMAN), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (C AND WK), Pite van Biljon (IN FOR BJORN FORTUIN), Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Glenton Stuurman (DEBUT) (IN FOR JUNIOR DALA), Lutho Sipamla and Tabraiz Shamsi.
Pakistan (UNCHANGED Playing XI) - Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Babar Azam (C), Haider Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
PITCH REPORT - Mike Haysman says that it is a new pitch. He observes a few cracks and believes that the track will turn. But also reckons there will be dew.
The players walk out to the middle. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are the openers for Pakistan. The skipper will be desperate for a decent knock tonight. Ducks in T20Is - 2. Both in Lahore. Slow left-arm once again will begin the show. Bjorn Fortuin it was in the previous game, it will be JJ Smuts in this one. Rizwan to face, fresh from a century in the last game. Interesting observation from Mike Haysman. He states that the fog has come in earlier, which means that the dew might be thicker.
0.1 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Pakistan are up and running. Full, around off, flatter, Rizwan gets down and mows a slog sweep through square leg!
0.2 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Much better. Slower in pace, more accurate, around middle, well defended.
0.3 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Comes down the track and bunts it down to long on for a single.
0.4 : JJ Smuts to Babar Azam, Flighted outside off, watchfully blocked out.
0.5 : JJ Smuts to Babar Azam, Looped up, around off, pushed down to long on for a single.
0.6 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Full, outside off, Rizwan looks to push and run towards cover for a single but Babar prevents him from committing suicide.
Dwaine Pretorius to share the new ball with Smuts.
1.1 : Dwaine Pretorius to Babar Azam, FOUR! What a lovely shot. On a length, outside off, Babar punches it through the covers and gets a boundary.
Adjudged LBW! That looks straight. Babar looks to be gone here. But he has chosen to review. Seems to be pretty dead. Ball Tracker confirms. Three reds.
1.2 : Haider Ali walks in at number 3, replacing Babar.
Dwaine Pretorius to Babar Azam, OUT! LBW! The Pakistan skipper falls cheaply again! As expected, it was a waste of a review. The ball was pitched on a length and jagged back a touch, with the angle. Babar looked to work it to the leg side but missed and was hit on the pads. Pretorius immediately went up and the umpire barely had any hesitation to raise his finger. Azam looked up at Rizwan, walked down the track and eventually took the DRS. Three reds on the Ball Tracker, with the projection
1.3 : Dwaine Pretorius to Haider Ali, Full, outside off, driven straight to mid off.
1.4 : Dwaine Pretorius to Haider Ali, He is a much better batsman than that. Outside off, on a length, Haider swings hard but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards deep mid-wicket.
1.5 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Rizwan, Outside off, pushed towards mid off.
1.6 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Rizwan, On middle and off, whipped through square leg for a run.
The debutant, Glenton Stuurman comes on to bowl now.
2.1 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, Angles the first ball in from middle, Rizwan looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pad.
2.2 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! In the slot and into the gap. Half volley, angling into the pads, Rizwan clips it behind square on the leg side, Lutho Sipamla gets across from deep mid-wicket, tries his best but comes second best.
2.3 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, Around off, pushed to the off side.
2.4 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, Full, outside off, steered towards backward point. He dives to his left and takes some pace off the ball. Short third man mops it up. Two runs taken.
2.5 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Wrong line again. Down the leg side, Rizwan helps it to the fine leg fence.
2.6 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! ELEGANT! Half volley, around off, Rizwan drives it beautifully. Straight back past the bowler, beats mid on and starts to run, even though there is no need to. 15 from the over, Pakistan are up and running.
Lutho Sipamla comes on to bowl now. 4th bowler in 4 overs.
3.1 : Lutho Sipamla to Haider Ali, Beaten first up. On a length, outside off, Haider pokes at it but misses as the ball moves past the outside edge.
3.2 : Lutho Sipamla to Haider Ali, Full, outside off, driven straight to mid off.
0.0 : The bowler is stopped again. This time for a disturbance behind the sightscreen. One photographer was trying to click photos and came in the wrong line.
3.3 : Lutho Sipamla to Haider Ali, FOUR! Nice shot. Fractionally short in length, outside off, Haider gets on top of the bounce and punches it behind point. The ball races away. The stand moves to 21 from 13 balls.
3.4 : Lutho Sipamla to Haider Ali, Landed outside off, Ali looks to run it down to third man but is too close to the ball. Gets a thick inside edge, which goes past the off stump, to the keeper.
3.5 : Lutho Sipamla to Haider Ali, Just short of good length, outside off, punched straight to mid off.
3.6 : Lutho Sipamla to Haider Ali, Outside off, a bit short, worked towards long on for a single.
Another change. Andile Phehlukwayo into the attack.
4.1 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Haider Ali, FOUR! FABULOUS! That is timed in an exemplary manner. Full, outside off, Haider leans and drives it down the ground. Mid off dives to his right, gets a hand to the ball but ends up parrying it to the ropes. Haider moves to 10 from 9 balls.
4.2 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Haider Ali, A short ball, around off, Ali looks to pull but misses and is hit on the pads.
4.3 : Hussain Talat walks in now, at number 4.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Haider Ali, OUT! CAUGHT! Well held. Lutho Sipamla is the man. A length ball, around middle, Haider flicks it and flicks it beautifully. The timing is excellent too. But to his dismay, it is near a man hovering at the square leg boundary. Sipamla is there, takes the catch and then, with the momentum, dives. Haider will consider himself very, very unlucky. Don't think he meant to audition for the position of the fielding coach for South Africa.
4.4 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Hussain Talat, Outside off, Talat looks to punch it through the off side but gets a bottom edge, which goes past the stump. Stopped by the keeper.
4.5 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Hussain Talat, Beaten! Lovely from Phehlukwayo. Again wide outside off, Hussain looks to reach out away from his body. Fails to make any connection.
4.6 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Hussain Talat, Outside off, steered straight to backward point. What an over from Phehlukwayo. Boundary first ball, then 5 dots after that. A wicket to go with it as well.
5.1 : Lutho Sipamla to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Terrific shot! Full delivery on off, Rizwan drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
5.2 : Lutho Sipamla to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length on off, Rizwan dabs it towards third man for a single.
5.3 : Lutho Sipamla to Hussain Talat, PLAY AND A MISS! Yorker outside off, Talat looks to dig it out but misses it.
0.0 : What happened there? Rizwan has pulled out. That too, when the ball was about to be bowled. Ahhh okay. The bowler loses his kerchief while running in. Dead ball signalled.
5.4 : Lutho Sipamla to Hussain Talat, Length delivery on off, Talat comes forward and taps it towards point for a quick single.
5.5 : Tinkering of the field. Deep square leg goes a bit finer.
Lutho Sipamla to Mohammad Rizwan, Length ball on off, Rizwan punches it to point.
5.6 : Lutho Sipamla to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Cracking shot! Short delivery on off, Rizwan cuts it through point for a boundary. PAKISTAN ARE 46/2 AFTER 6 OVERS!
Powerplay is done and Tabraiz Shamsi is into the attack. He is a wicket taker, who can turn the ball both ways. A colourful character.
6.1 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Hussain Talat, Tossed up delivery on off, Talat plays a reverse sweep towards third man. The fielder chases it, slides and does well to stop it just before the ropes. The batsmen get two runs.
6.2 : Iftikhar Ahmed walks out to the middle at number 5, replacing Talat.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Hussain Talat, OUT! CAUGHT! Picks the man perfectly. Hussain cannot believe what he has done. Shamsi can, as he roars into Talat's face. Full, around off, Talat gets down and unfurls the reverse sweep again. But this time, he finds Pite van Biljon at backward point. Say cheese!
6.3 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Full toss on middle, Ahmed hits it through mid on for a single.
6.4 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Mohammad Rizwan, Full on middle, Rizwan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. 50 UP FOR PAKISTAN, but three wickets down.
6.5 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Floated delivery on middle, Ahmed flicks it through square leg for a single.
6.6 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Mohammad Rizwan, On off, Rizwan defends it off the front foot.
JJ Smuts is back on. 1-0-6-0 so far. Critical period for South Africa. They have a set batsman and a new man in. They need to maintain the pressure.
7.1 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up delivery on middle, Iftikhar pushes it to mid on.
7.2 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, Floated ball on off, Ahmed pushes it towards point for a single.
7.3 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Loopy delivery on off, Rizwan defends it towards covers for a single.
7.4 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, On middle, Ahmed flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
7.5 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Full delivery on off, Rizwan drives it to covers.
7.4 : South Africa won't mind this. Singles won't really hurt them and if Pakistan do manage to reach only the projected score of 150 from here, then it will be game on.
7.6 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up ball on off, Rizwan drives it through covers for a single.
8.1 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Mohammad Rizwan, Flighted delivery on middle, Rizwan sweeps it through square leg for a run.
8.2 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Loopy delivery on off, Iftikhar blocks it off the front foot.
8.4 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Floated delivery on middle, Ahmed pushes it through mid on for a single.
8.3 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up on off, Ahmed goes back to punch but is cramped for room. Mistimes it off the inner half, back to the bowler.
8.4 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, WIDE. Down the leg side, IA looks to flick but misses.
8.5 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Mohammad Rizwan, On middle and leg, Rizwan sweeps it through square leg for a run.
8.6 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up delivery on middle, Ahmed flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
9.1 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! Oh dear. That is a missile. Arrowed in short, down the leg side, Iftikhar just paddles it through fine leg. Poor line and all Ahmed had to do was to get bat on that, which he did.
9.2 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up delivery on middle, Ahmed pushes it through mid on for a single.
9.3 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Full delivery on off, Rizwan drives it to covers.
9.4 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Floated delivery on middle, Rizwan looks to pull but gets it off the pads. It goes towards the off side. The batsmen take a leg bye.
9.5 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up delivery on middle, Ahmed pushes it through mid on for a single.
9.6 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, On middle, Rizwan flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
10.1 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Mohammad Rizwan, Full, around off, Rizwan gets down and looks to play the slog sweep. No timing at all as the ball goes off the lower half of the bat towards deep mid-wicket. A single taken.
10.2 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Ooohhh... full, around middle, Iftikhar lunges to defend. The ball pitches, then spins back in sharply. Ahmed has no idea and blindly prods, getting a thick inside edge to the leg side. A run taken.
10.3 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Mohammad Rizwan, Comes forward and works this through mid on for one.
10.4 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Shorter, around off, worked towards deep mid-wicket for another single.
10.5 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Mohammad Rizwan, Short, the googly, around off, MR drags it wide of long on for one more.
0.0 : DEW BREAK. Yeah, that is the way to describe it, isn't it? The groundstaff will be roping the ground now, to try and get rid of as much dew as possible. This is where the game turned on Thursday. Pakistan were 71/3 then. They are 68/3 here. Plenty of similarities between this game and that. South Africa starting well, Pakistan struggling and Rizwan not quite timing the ball. Scratch the last part. Rizwan is doing much better tonight, gaining confidence from his maiden T20I century the other nigh
10.6 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Iftikhar Ahmed, A dot! Good end to the over. 5 singles and a dot. Darted on the pads, Iftikhar tucks it to the leg side. The keeper is quick to get to the ball near backward square leg and there is no chance of a run.
Glenton Stuurman returns. The solidly built, right-arm quick was expensive in his first over, going for 15.
11.1 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
0.0 : Mid off drops back now.
11.2 : Glenton Stuurman to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! Not a bad idea but wrong line. Slower-ball bouncer, but down the leg side. Iftikhar just pulls it through square leg. The stand moves to 30 from 30 balls.
11.3 : Glenton Stuurman to Iftikhar Ahmed, A quicker ball, too straight again, Ahmed looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the off side and the batsmen pinch one.
11.4 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, WIDE. Miles outside off, slower ball gone awry, Rizwan gets across, looks to guide but then lets it through.
Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, Nice yorker, around off, well dug out. That was bowled at 92.5 miles per hour.
11.5 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, SIX! What a response from Rizwan! Perhaps Stuurman went for the slower ball but Rizwan picked it early. Got under it and launched it over long on. Just for a moment, it seemed like he had been sucked in but the end result is what he wanted. Moves to 45 from 32 balls now.
11.6 : Glenton Stuurman to Mohammad Rizwan, Full, around off, whipped to deep mid-wicket for a single. 14 from the over, Stuurman has gone for 28 in his 2 overs so far.
12.1 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Shortish and on middle and leg, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one. Rizwan moves to 47.
0.0 : JJ Smuts again. Gets a change of ends. 3-0-17-0 so far. Can he end well?
12.2 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, Slower and shorter, tucked on the leg side for one. It went in front of square leg and the man from the deep came forward quickly.
12.3 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Outside off, slower one, spinning away, Rizwan reaches out and slaps it towards cover.
12.4 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Fuller, looped up, around off, driven back to the bowler.
12.5 : JJ Smuts to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up, once again, worked towards long on for a single.
12.6 : JJ Smuts to Iftikhar Ahmed, Full, around off, pushed back to the bowler. Outstanding from Smuts. Just 3 from the over. 4-0-20-0 for Smuts.
Dwaine Pretorius returns. 1-0-6-1 so far.
13.1 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Rizwan, Short, outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
13.2 : Dwaine Pretorius to Iftikhar Ahmed, Short, outside off, slapped through the covers. Good work by the sweeper, sliding to his left. Keeps the batsmen to a run.
13.3 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Rizwan, Fuller, around off, driven towards long off. A single taken, to bring up 50 FOR RIZWAN. First opener from Pakistan to score a hat-trick of 50s in T20Is.
13.4 : Dwaine Pretorius to Iftikhar Ahmed, OUT! High, high, high and taken! Anyone wanting to know the meaning of communication, please look at David Miller. This is a blinder. Will tell you why. A slower ball, outside off, Iftikhar winds up for a slog, but hits this miles in the air, getting a top edge. David Miller is the one at deep mid-wicket but he has another man to his right and one to his left, at long on, coming in for the catch. But he is loud and clear, wanting to take the catch. And t
Khushdil Shah walks out at number 6, replacing Iftikhar.
13.5 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Rizwan, Outside off, hammered past the non-striker, towards long on for a single. The throw comes in to the bowler, who lets it through and nearly takes Rizwan out! Thankfully, he ducks in time.
13.6 : Dwaine Pretorius to Khushdil Shah, Around middle, angling in, worked through mid-wicket for one more. 5 runs and a wicket from the over, Pretorius' figures read 2-0-11-2.
Tabraiz Shamsi is back on. 3-0-15-1 so far.
14.1 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Khushdil Shah, The leg spinner, outside off, Khushdil looks to cut but misses.
14.2 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Khushdil Shah, The googly now, around middle, well defended.
14.3 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Khushdil Shah, Outside off, pushed towards point. Three dot balls in a row.
14.4 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Khushdil Shah, Brilliant. 4 in a row. The wrong 'un, around middle, well kept out.
14.5 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Khushdil Shah, Outstanding from Shamsi. Gets the ball to grip and then spin away, Shah looks to push but misses.
14.6 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Khushdil Shah, The wrong 'un to end his spell, worked towards mid-wicket for one as Shamsi himself runs across to stop the ball. Just a single and that ends his bowling for the night - 4-0-16-1. Not a single boundary conceded. Amazing.
15.1 : Dwaine Pretorius to Khushdil Shah, Length delivery on off, Shah pushes it to point.
15.2 : Dwaine Pretorius to Khushdil Shah, BEATEN! Yorker outside off, Shah looks to dig it out but misses it.
15.3 : Dwaine Pretorius to Khushdil Shah, Full on middle, Shah flicks it through square leg for a single.
15.4 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Rizwan, OUT! CAUGHT! The slower ball does the trick. Full, outside off, Rizwan looks to get under it and go big over long off. However, he is not quite able to connect it cleanly, due to lack of pace.He toe-ends it, holing out to Andile Phehlukwayo at long off. A clean chit for the Proteas tonight, in terms of their fielding. Rizwan departs, with 26 balls left in the innings. Great knock again.
Faheem Ashraf walks in now.
15.5 : Dwaine Pretorius to Khushdil Shah, Full delivery on off, Shah drives it through covers for a single.
15.6 : Dwaine Pretorius to Faheem Ashraf, Length ball on middle, Ashraf flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo is back on. 1-0-4-1 so far. Surprisingly underbowled.
16.1 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, Length delivery on off, Ashraf lofts it over covers. The batsmen get two runs.
16.2 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, Short of a length on middle, Ashraf pulls it over mid on for a single.
16.3 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Khushdil Shah, Full delivery on off, Shah drives it through mid off for a single.
16.4 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, Slower delivery on middle, Ashraf pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.
16.5 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Khushdil Shah, Short ball on middle, Khushdil pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.
16.6 : Lutho Sipamla returns. 2-0-15-0 so far.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, SIX! That is hammered! Short of a length on middle, Ashraf pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum. That makes it a decent over for Pakistan, becoming a 12-run one. 3 overs left. How close can they get to 150?
17.1 : Lutho Sipamla to Khushdil Shah, Length delivery on off, Shah looks to slog but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a single.
17.2 : Lutho Sipamla to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR! Poor delivery from Sipamla! Full toss on off, Ashraf lofts it over covers for a boundary.
17.4 : Lutho Sipamla to Khushdil Shah, FOUR! Another full toss. The second one of the over. Khushdil hammers it over mid off and finds the fence.
17.3 : Lutho Sipamla to Faheem Ashraf, Full delivery on middle, Ashraf flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
17.5 : Lutho Sipamla to Khushdil Shah, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! But this should have been stopped. A short ball, around of, angled in, Khushdil pulls it through square leg. Deep square leg gets across, one suspects it is Glenton Stuurman, gets the ball in his hands, slides to his right, but palms it over.
Short third man in position now.
17.6 : Lutho Sipamla to Khushdil Shah, Full delivery on off, Khushdil drives it through mid off for a single. 27 runs have come from the last 2 overs!
Dwaine Pretorius returns. 3-0-14-3 so far.
18.1 : Dwaine Pretorius to Khushdil Shah, OUT! CAUGHT! Pretorius gets his fourth wicket! Full and outside off, Shah looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the keeper where Klaasen takes a comfortable catch.
0.0 : Who is in now? Mohammad Nawaz it is. Another southpaw.
18.2 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Nawaz, BEATEN! Slower delivery outside off, Nawaz looks to drive but misses it. Risky line, with third man up.
18.3 : Dwaine Pretorius to Mohammad Nawaz, OUT! BOWLED! Pretorius gets a fifer! Corker of a yorker on off, little bit coming in with the angle, Nawaz looks to dig it out but misses it and gets bowled. Pretorius leaps in the air in jubilation. A 'W-0-W' over so far. Could this be a momentum-changing over?
18.4 : Dwaine Pretorius to Usman Qadir, Full ball on off, Qadir drives it towards point for a single.
18.3 : Usman Qadir walks in to face the music now. Another leftie.
18.5 : Dwaine Pretorius to Faheem Ashraf, Full again on off, Ashraf pushes it through mid off for a single.
18.6 : Dwaine Pretorius to Usman Qadir, Full on middle, Qadir flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. Not quite what Pakistan wanted. They will want Ashraf to face as many balls as possible. 4-0-17-5 for Pretorius. Take a bow, sir!
Andile Phehlukwayo to bowl the final over. 2-0-16-1 so far. How much can he keep Pakistan to?
19.1 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Usman Qadir, Good length ball on off, Qadir looks to defend but gets an inside edge. It goes towards fine leg. The batsmen cross ends.
19.2 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, Poor running. Full delivery on off, Ashraf drills it towards long off for a single. Now, Qadir is all so keen to come back for the second, but Faheem is the least bit interested, happy wth the single.
19.3 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Usman Qadir, Full again on middle, Qadir pushes it back towards the bowler where Phehlukwayo tries to stop it but misfields and concedes a single.
19.4 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, SIX! That is huge! Full delivery on middle, Ashraf lofts it over the bowler's head for a maximum. He is giving his bowlers something to defend.
19.5 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, DROPPED! Full toss on off, Ashraf lofts it over point but does not get the timing on it. It goes towards the fielder where JJ Smuts runs and tries to take the catch but spills it. The batsmen get two runs.
19.6 : Andile Phehlukwayo to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR! Short ball on middle, Ashraf pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. PAKISTAN END WITH 144/7!
A total of 6 bowlers used, with only Glenton Stuurman having a bad time. But the others enjoyed their bowling, especially the spinners. Shamsi and Smuts were excellent, going for just 36 in 8 overs combined, taking a wicket as well. They created all the pressure, the benefits of which, were reaped by Dwaine Pretorius. He picked up a 5-fer and by no means, do we suggest that he did not bowl well. His yorkers were spot on. But had the spinners not created that pressure, then perhaps, he would not
Hmmm... Pakistan have got a competitive total again. It is below 150, but they will back themselves to build pressure if they can get a couple of wickets early. Especially after what happened in the last game. 15 runs in the last over, push the score to 144 but overall, South Africa can afford a smile. They have done well.
Dwaine Pretorius says that he feels very proud to contribute to the team's cause. Hopes that they get across the line tonight. Admits that it was a small change in line, pace and ength, which resulted in wickets. Does not feel that dew is too much at this point of time. On the team talk after the previous match, Dwaine says that they believed that they played very good cricket in the previous game but just missed out on 4 overs of big moments which were taken care of in this one.
144 is not exactly what Pakistan would have wished for. A similar batting chart to the previous game, Babar going early, no one else stepping up, other than Rizwan, who could not quite bat till the end this time. The other difference being - not too many runs could come in the death overs. Faheem Ashraf did his bit, but the hosts will believe they are short. Having said that, they have got the runs on the board. And they are one team which believes that they can defend anything. Stay tuned...
... THE RUN CHASE ...
The Pakistan team is in a huddle.
0.1 : Shaheen Afridi to Janneman Malan, EDGED, FOUR! Neither team would mind. Pakistan, because, it was a good ball. South Africa, because, they have started off with a boundary. Full, outside off, swinging in, Malan looks to drive, does not look to move his feet and gets a thick inside edge. It shoots past the off stump, beating short fine leg to his right.
0.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Janneman Malan, OUT! BOWLED! Now, South Africa will mind, Pakistan won't. This is pitched outside leg and is angling further down as well. Malan looks to flick but misses. However, unluckily for him, the ball ricochets off the back pad, onto the stumps! Early blow.
JJ Smuts walks in at number 3, replacing Malan.
0.3 : Shaheen Afridi to JJ Smuts, Full, around off, more inswing, worked wide of mid on, to his right, for a couple. 139 more needed from 117 balls.
0.4 : Shaheen Afridi to JJ Smuts, That inswing angle again, this time on off, driven sweetly but straight to mid on, who is very straight.
0.5 : Shaheen Afridi to JJ Smuts, An appeal for a caught behind, turned down! Long chat for the review, not taken. Full, down the leg side, Smuts looks to flick but misses. Rizwan dives to his left and stops it. He gets up, but does not appeal straightaway. The bowler is up for it and now, the keeper joins him. Neither is totally sure. So Babar furiously lets it be. UltraEdge detects a spike, but when the ball is near the pad.
0.6 : Shaheen Afridi to JJ Smuts, On a length, around off, angling away, Smuts feels for it but misses.
Haris Rauf to bowl from the other end. Pace from both ends. Surprising.
1.1 : Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, FIVE WIDES! Bonus for South Africa. A length ball, angling down the leg side, Hendricks looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball pitches and then seams further away. Rizwan dives to his left but is unable to cope up with the moving ball. It races to the fine leg fence.
Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, Outside off, pushed to the off side for a single.
1.2 : Haris Rauf to JJ Smuts, FOUR! THWACK! Short and wide outside off, Smuts hammers it aerially, but through the gap at cover. Rauf under pressure now. 129 more needed from 112 balls. The stand moves to 12 from 6 balls.
1.3 : Haris Rauf to JJ Smuts, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
1.4 : Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, FOUR! Wrong line this time. Fired in a bit too straight, Hendricks just works it to the left of short fine leg.
1.5 : Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
1.6 : Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, Finally a decent ball, full and straight, at pace, watchfully defended. 15 from the over, with the batsmen not having to do much.
2.1 : Shaheen Afridi to JJ Smuts, Full, around off, driven straight to short extra cover.
2.2 : Shaheen Afridi to JJ Smuts, OUT! CAUGHT! Catching practice to mid off. A length ball, outside off, Smuts stands tall and hammers it straight to mid off. It is straight into the bread basket of Babar Azam there. When dismissals like these happen, reminds me of Ian Chappell commenting during the Aus-Eng clash in the 2007 ODI World Cup. Ian Bell was caught at cover and Chappell was criticizing the shot. Either you hit it over the top or hit it along the ground. Not the in-between. The same lo
Pite van Biljon walks in at number 4, replacing Smuts.
2.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Pite van Biljon, Around off, pushed towards cover.
2.4 : Shaheen Afridi to Pite van Biljon, Short again, on middle, van Biljon plays a mistimed pull shot to mid-wicket.
A little bit of sawdust being applied by Afridi himself, near the landing area.
2.5 : Shaheen Afridi to Pite van Biljon, Full and wide outside off, driven towards point.
2.6 : Shaheen Afridi to Pite van Biljon, A maiden! Afridi's first in T20Is. Short, outside off, van Biljon looks to pull but misses.
Spin time. Mohammad Nawaz called upon.
3.1 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, SIX! TONK! Flighted, around middle, Hendricks lines it up, steps to the leg side, gets under the ball, is on a knee and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket! 118 more needed from 101 balls. Hendricks moves to 11 from 5 balls.
3.2 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, Comes down the track now and drives, but finds cover.
3.3 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, The arm ball, fired down the leg side, Reeza misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
3.4 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, Around off, RH comes down the track and pushes it towards long off. Nawaz himself dives to his left to stop the ball.
3.5 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, Short, around off, Hendricks goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single.
3.6 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, Nicely bowled, slower through the air, outside off, fuller in length, van Biljon looks to drive but gets an outside edge to short third man. Excellent comeback by Nawaz after the first ball.
Faheem Ashraf to bowl now.
4.1 : Faheem Ashraf to Reeza Hendricks, Short, around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
4.2 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, SIX! VIOLENCE! Off the mark in style. Full, sliding onto the pads, van Biljon picks it in a trice and swings it cleanly over mid-wicket! The stand moves to 14 from 12 balls.
4.3 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, Ooohh... misses the leg stump. Slower ball, fuller in length, down the leg side, Pite swings again, but perhaps is a touch too early. Misses and is lucky to be still hanging around.
4.4 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, Fuller, around off, pushed back to the bowler.
4.5 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, Outside off, another slower ball, pushed towards cover. He wants one but Hendricks is not interested. Almost looks like a repeat of the previous over. Six early on but then nothing much after that.
4.6 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, And it stays that way. 7 from the first 2 balls, followed by 4 dot balls. Full and outside off, hit straight to mid off.
Haris Rauf switches ends. 1-0-15-0 so far.
5.1 : Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, A length ball, around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. 109 more needed from 89 balls. 
5.2 : Haris Rauf to Pite van Biljon, On middle and off, worked to the leg side for a run.
5.3 : Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, FOUR! Gets this one away. Short, slower in pace, Hendricks waits for it and then swivels to pull it away. Beats deep backward square leg to his right. The stand moves to 20 from 19 balls.
5.4 : Haris Rauf to Reeza Hendricks, Fuller, around off, worked between mid on and short mid-wicket for one.
5.5 : Haris Rauf to Pite van Biljon, Brilliant work from Haider Ali. But ordinary stuff from Rauf. Another short ball, this is dragged through backward square leg. Haider gets across to his right in the deep, slides and then pushes the ball back in. The umpires refer it upstairs and it is deemed fine. Two runs saved.
5.6 : Haris Rauf to Pite van Biljon, This time to his left! Haider is outstanding again. Full, around off, swung towards deep mid-wicket. Ali races to his left, sticks out his left hand and then pushes the ball back in play, himself going out. Comes back in and throws the ball back to the keeper. Two runs taken. 46/2 in the Powerplay for South Africa, same as Pakistan. 99 more meeded from 84 balls.
Usman Qadir comes on now.
6.1 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, Full, around off, driven back to the bowler.
6.2 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, Around off, pushed towards cover.
6.3 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, Yorker, around off, well dug out.
6.4 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, SIX! WALLOP! Well, you have got to put those way when you get them. Attempted googly from Qadir, but it turns out to be a full toss. Hendricks pulls it over mid-wicket. 50 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA. 93 more needed from 80 balls.
6.5 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, Fuller, around middle, this is swept through square leg for a single.
6.6 : Mohammad Nawaz returns. 1-0-7-0 so far.
Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, SIX! He has connected that well and Qadir goes for 13 in his opener! Tossed up, around off, van Biljon makes room to his left, gets under the ball and slog sweeps it over long on! 86 more needed from 78 balls.
7.1 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, Outside off, Hendricks looks to play the reverse sweep but misses.
7.2 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, Dinks this through mid-wicket and gets a single.
7.3 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, FOUR! From the back of the bat. Fuller, outside off, van Biljon looks to attempt the reverse sweep. Is early but still gets runs through third man. Moves to 21 from 15, in a stand of 43 from 31.
7.4 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, Punches this towards long off for one more.
7.5 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, Goes back and works it to deep mid-wicket for another single. 79 more needed from 73 balls.
7.6 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, The arm ball, around off, well defended.
8.1 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, SIX! WHACK! 'Pakistan need big strikes', says Ramiz Raja on air. Hendricks provides one big strike instead. Tossed up, outside off, Hendricks leans and lofts it over extra cover. 50-RUN STAND IS UP! In 35 balls. Hendricks moves to 34 from 22 balls.
8.2 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
8.3 : Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, The wrong 'un, outside off, read well, worked through mid-wicket. Faheem Ashraf gets across to his right, but slips and concedes the second.
8.4 : Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, OUT! st Mohammad Rizwan b Usman Qadir.
Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, STUMPED OFF A NO BALL! Criminal from Qadir. He has overstepped, as pointed out by the third umpire. The ball was a beauty, looping it up, enticing the batsman to come down the track, then making it dip and spin away. Van Biljon was not quite to the pitch of the ball. He missed and Rizwan did the rest. But the umpire had a doubt that Qadir had overstepped. He sent it upstairs and one replay confirmed the same. What a reprieve, 69 more needed in 69 balls.
A break in play as Rizwan was out for a bathroom break.
Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, No shot attempted on the Free Hit! Wide ball, outside off, PvB lets it go, thinking it will be wided but it is a legal ball, well inside the guideline!
8.5 : Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, FOUR! Short, outside off, skidding away, van Biljon rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket. Splits long on and deep mid-wicket perfectly. 
8.6 : Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, Full and outside off, Pite hits it hard but Qadir gets his left boot in the way. Deflects it to the left of long off. Two runs taken. 16 from the over, but could have been a wicket-taking one. The stand is worth 61 from 41 balls. Qadir has gone for 29 in his 2 overs.
Faheem Ashraf is back on. 1-0-7-0 so far.
9.1 : Faheem Ashraf to Reeza Hendricks, FOUR! Poor line. Down the leg side, Hendricks gets bat on it and tickles the ball past the keeper, to the fine leg fence.
9.2 : Faheem Ashraf to Reeza Hendricks, Around middle, helped to deep mid-wicket for a single. Hendricks moves to 40 from 25 balls.
9.3 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, Outside off, driven towards cover.
9.4 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, FOUR! Short, around middle, van Biljon pulls it through square leg. The stand moves to 70 from 45 balls.
9.5 : Faheem Ashraf to Pite van Biljon, Outside off, drilled through the covers for one more.
9.6 : Faheem Ashraf to Reeza Hendricks, Around off, Reeza looks to punch but mistimes it back to the bowler.
DEW BREAK. Medium pace, all over the place. That is how it has been, from Pakistan. Apart from Afridi, no one has been able to bowl a tight line or length. While South Africa have done their bit to attack Qadir. He has gone for 29 in his 2 overs, 22 of those coming in 4 balls, via boundaries. He might have had van Biljon, but he overstepped. But even then, it looks too difficult for Pakistan to enforce a collapse. Hendricks and van Biljon are gaining in confidence and will aim to finish this off
Here is Mohammad Nawaz. 2-0-14-0 so far.
10.1 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, Tossed up delivery on off, van Biljon drives it through point for a couple.
10.2 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, Flighted ball on middle, van Biljon flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.
10.3 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, Loopy delivery on middle, Hendricks pushes it through mid on for a single.
10.4 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, Floated delivery on off, van Biljon pushes it through mid off for a single.
10.5 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, BEATEN! Googly outside off, Hendricks looks to play the reverse sweep but misses it due to the turn on this one.
10.6 : Mohammad Nawaz to Reeza Hendricks, On middle, Hendricks pushes it through mid on for a single.
11.1 : Usman Qadir to Reeza Hendricks, OUT! CAUGHT! Usman Qadir strikes! Tossed up delivery on off, Hendricks looks to play the slog sweep but gets a top edge. It goes towards mid on where Iftikhar Ahmed takes a good catch.
0.0 : David Miller is the new batsman in.
11.2 : Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, Full ball on middle, van Biljon pushes it through mid on for a single.
11.3 : Usman Qadir to David Miller, Full delivery on off, Miller drives it through covers for a couple.
11.4 : Usman Qadir to David Miller, Short ball on off, Miller cuts it through point for a single.
11.5 : Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, Tossed up delivery on middle, van Biljon sweeps it through square leg for a single.
11.6 : Usman Qadir to Pite van Biljon, BEATEN! Googly outside off, van Biljon looks to defend but misses it. South Africa need 41 runs in 48 balls!
12.1 : Mohammad Nawaz to David Miller, BEATEN! Tossed up outside off, Miller looks to drive but misses it.
12.2 : Mohammad Nawaz to David Miller, Short ball on off, Miller punches it through mid off for a single.
12.3 : Mohammad Nawaz to Pite van Biljon, OUT! CAUGHT! Nawaz gets his first wicket! Floated delivery on middle, van Biljon looks to flick but gets a leading edge. It goes uppishly towards the bowler where Nawaz takes a simple catch.
Heinrich Klaasen is the next batsman in.
12.4 : Mohammad Nawaz to Heinrich Klaasen, Full delivery on middle, Klaasen flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
12.5 : Mohammad Nawaz to David Miller, On middle, Miller flicks it towards the leg side for a single.
12.6 : Mohammad Nawaz to Heinrich Klaasen, FOUR! That is smashed! Short delivery on middle, Klaasen pulls it over mid on for a boundary.
13.1 : Usman Qadir to David Miller, Tossed up delivery on off, Miller looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
13.2 : Usman Qadir to David Miller, FOUR! Good shot! Floated ball on middle, Miller lofts it over mid on. The fielder at long on tries to go for the catch but he misfields and concedes a boundary.
13.3 : Usman Qadir to David Miller, Floated delivery on off, Miller looks to cut but gets hit on the pads.
13.4 : Usman Qadir to David Miller, Googly on middle, Miller looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
13.5 : Usman Qadir to David Miller, WIDE! Qadir bowls it wide outside off, Miller leaves it alone. It is wided by the umpire.
Usman Qadir to David Miller, Full delivery on off, Miller drives it through mid off for a single.
13.6 : Usman Qadir to Heinrich Klaasen, On middle, Klaasen plays a paddle sweep towards fine leg for a run. South Africa need 26 runs in 36 balls!
Iftikhar Ahmed is on.
14.1 : Iftikhar Ahmed to David Miller, Full delivery on off, Miller drives it through mid off for a single.
14.2 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Heinrich Klaasen, Short ball on off, Klaasen punches it to covers.
14.3 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Heinrich Klaasen, Full delivery on middle, Klaasen drives it through mid on for a run.
14.4 : Iftikhar Ahmed to David Miller, On off, Miller blocks it off the front foot.
14.5 : Iftikhar Ahmed to David Miller, Floated delivery on middle, Miller flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
14.6 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Heinrich Klaasen, FOUR! Short ball on off, Klaasen looks to cut but gets an outside edge. It goes past the keeper towards third man for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi is back on.
15.1 : Shaheen Afridi to David Miller, Length ball on off, Miller guides it towards third man for a single.
15.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Heinrich Klaasen, NO BALL AND FOUR! High full toss on off, Klaasen guides it towards third man for a boundary. Free Hit coming up!
Shaheen Afridi to Heinrich Klaasen, Short delivery on middle, Klaasen pulls it uppishly towards mid-wicket where the fielder takes a simple catch. But it does not matter as it was a Free Hit.
15.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Heinrich Klaasen, Length delivery on off, Klaasen punches it towards covers for a single.
15.4 : Shaheen Afridi to David Miller, FOUR! Poor bowling from Afridi! Full toss on middle, Miller flicks it through square leg for a boundary.
15.5 : Shaheen Afridi to David Miller, Full delivery on off, Miller drives it to covers. Just 8 needed for South Africa!
15.6 : Shaheen Afridi to David Miller, Back of a length on off, Miller taps it towards point for a single.
16.1 : Iftikhar Ahmed to David Miller, SIX! That is hammered! Tossed up delivery on middle, Miller lofts it over long on for a maximum. Just 1 needed for South Africa to win this match!
16.2 : Iftikhar Ahmed to David Miller, Short ball on off, Miller punches it through covers for a single. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 6 WICKETS!
It has been a fantastic victory for South Africa. Klaasen and Miller did well to finish the chase for the visitors. The partnership between Reeza Hendricks and Pite van Biljon set up the chase for them. They stitched a 77-run stand between them.
Babar Azam has been named Pakistan's white-ball cricketer of the year for 2020.
Coming to Pakistan, they got off to a great start when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Janneman Malan and JJ Smuts early. But then, the other bowlers could not stop the partnership between Hendricks and van Biljon. They took the game away from them. Qadir's no ball, which dismissed van Biljon, also cost them the game.
Earlier, South Africa did well to restrict Pakistan to 144. Dwaine Pretorius took a five-fer and demolished the Pakistan batsmen. Shamsi was economical and picked a solitary wicket. Smuts did well to support him. For Pakistan, they lost Babar Azam early. Rizwan played well for his 51 but he did not get support from the middle-order batsmen. Faheem Ashraf finished the innings on a strong note for them. Stay tuned for the presentation...
Reeza Hendricks is down for an interview. He says that he is happy with the team's performance. Adds they did well to make a comeback when they were 1 down early. Mentions Pretorius bowled well and it was amazing that he took a five-fer. Further says that they got a couple of days to prepare and it paid off for them. Hendricks ends by saying they will look to win the last game as well.
Babar Azam, Pakistan skipper, says they did not have enough runs to defend. Adds that the middle order did not perform well for them while the bowling attack could not quite reproduce its brilliance from the other night. Mentions that the wicket was a similar one to the previous game. Credits South Africa for playing well and feels they deserved to win. Further says they will look to perform well in the final game of the series.
DWAINE PRETORIUS HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Pretorius feels happy that he could contribute to the team's win. Informs that he just stuck to the team plan, which was to mix lines, pace and lengths and puts it all down to perfect execution. On the recovery from the previous game, Dwaine says that South Africa did well there too, but just could not get through the big moments, which was done here. Hopes to do well again in the third T20I, which becomes a final.
Victorious South African skipper, Heinrich Klaasen, on being asked about dominating spin in this game, says that is the reason why big hitters were picked, after traditional methods failed in the last game. Credits his bowlers for setting the win up, with a special mention for Dwaine Pretorius, marvelling at his 5-fer. Stresses his confidence for the final, saying that they are here to win.
Okay. A long Saturday ends. South Africa have managed to get a decider in this 3-match T20I series. It won't be wrong to say that they had the better side of the toss. How crucial will it be on Sunday? Pakistan managed to counter the dew in the first T20I but struggled in this one. Join us then, on 14th February, 2021, from 6 pm local (1300 GMT) to see how the final match of this tour envelops. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!