Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan, faced significant criticism for his sluggish performance during an 184-run chase against South Africa in the first T20I held in Durban on Tuesday. Opening the batting alongside former captain Babar Azam, Rizwan remained at the crease until the final over but was unable to secure a victory for Pakistan, as South Africa triumphed by 11 runs. His slow start was a critical factor in Pakistan's inability to mount a serious challenge for the target.

By the conclusion of the 16th over, Pakistan's required run rate had escalated to 15, while Rizwan was scoring at less than a run per ball. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter managed to hit only two boundaries up to the 15th over, with one of those coming in the very first over of Pakistan's innings. Although he struck several boundaries, including three in the 19th over, they proved insufficient to lead Pakistan to victory. Rizwan was ultimately dismissed for 74 runs off 62 deliveries on the second ball of the final over.

The situation appeared to shift in Pakistan's favour when Rizwan struck Kwena Maphaka for two sixes in the 17th over, accumulating 24 runs. However, all-rounder George Linde extinguished any remaining hopes by claiming three wickets in the subsequent over, finishing with impressive figures of 4-21. This performance followed his impactful batting display, where he scored 48 runs off just 24 balls. David Miller also contributed significantly, scoring 82 runs off 40 balls, which included four fours and eight sixes, helping South Africa to a total of 183 for nine.

‘A perfect comeback,’ says George Linde

Linde remarked, "It was nearly the ideal comeback," following a period of over three years during which he was overlooked by successive South African selectors.

He expressed a sense of composure with both bat and ball, yet acknowledged the necessity of delivering a strong performance after missing the team bus to the venue, which required him to secure a police escort to arrive on time.

In a remarkable display, Linde claimed two wickets in his final over and momentarily achieved a hat-trick when Haris Rauf was adjudged leg before wicket, only for the decision to be overturned upon review.

Rizwan noted that the standout performances of Miller and Linde were pivotal in determining the outcome of the match.

Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheaded a disciplined bowling effort for Pakistan, finishing with figures of three for 22, thereby reaching the milestone of 100 wickets in T20 internationals.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed also made a significant contribution, taking three wickets for 37 runs, despite conceding three consecutive sixes to Miller.

While Miller exhibited exceptional form, the remainder of South Africa's top order struggled, with only captain Heinrich Klaasen managing to score in double figures with 12 runs.

Miller was dismissed as the sixth wicket with the team's score at 135 in the 14th over, but Linde's explosive innings of 24 runs, which included four sixes—three of which came in the final over bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem—helped South Africa reach a commendable total.

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