JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – South African opener Aiden Markram hit a brisk half-century as guests leveled Twenty20 International’s four-match series against Pakistan with a six-wicket win in the second match at The Wanderers yesterday.
Pakistan elected to bat, but some poor stroke play saw them limited to 140 for nine of their 20 overs, well below par on one of the best batting wickets in world cricket.
South Africa never looked troubled in their response as they met their target with 36 balls left in a comprehensive victory for a team losing seven leading players who are either injured or have been released to play in the Premier League India.
Pakistan’s flyer got off to a rather strange start when opener Mohammad Rizwan danced down the wicket to left-arm spinner George Linde (3-23) off the very first ball and was easily caught in the middle of the game by Markram.
Captain Babar Azam (50 of 50 balls) and Mohammad Hafeez (32 of 23) were the only batsmen to manage a score above 12 as sailor Lizaad Williams (3-35) and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (1-22) ) bowling excellent spells for the home team.
Markram led the answer as he grabbed 54 of 30 balls, with 46 of his runs in boundaries as he smashed seven fours and three sixes in an aggressive showing.
Stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen (36 of 21 balls) saw his side win as he added 49 in 3.4 overs in a fifth wicket partnership with Linde (20 of 10).
The third game of the series will be played in Pretoria tomorrow.