Imran Tahir's Five-For Guides South Africa To Win Over Zimbabwe In First T20I

Riding on Imran Tahir’s five-wicket haul, South Africa saw off a late comeback from Zimbabwe to win the first T20I by 34 runs.

The game looked all but over when Imran Tahir ran through the Zimbabwe lineup to reduce them to 70 for 7 while the hosts were defending 160. But things changed in a blink of an eye thanks to a stunning cameo from Peter Moor who struck five sixes and a four to blast 44 off just 21. Tabraiz Shamsi bore Moor’s brunt, getting hit for four sixes in a row in the 15th over. Brandon Mavuta also complimented Moor by hitting Junior Dala for two fours and a six in the next over.

The two costly overs saw the equation standing at 38 off 25. However, the thrilling game soon swung in the hosts’ favour when they dismissed Mavuta after the latter hit a full toss off Dala to the fielder positioned at third man. Lungi Ngidi then sent back Kyle Jarvis to put South Africa in command.

With just one wicket in hand, Moor rightly went for the big shots and fell to one of those. His only mishit in the game ended up finding Christiaan Jonker at long off as South Africa heaved a sigh of relief.

Well, the game could have turned out in a different manner had Zimbabwe managed to make a good start. But 3 wickets on four deliveries from Tahir saw Zimbabwe reeling at 11 for 3. Sean Williams and Brendan Taylor then shared a 29-run stand to stop the rot for a while. But just when it looked they will steady the ship, Quinton de Kock came up with a stunning effort behind the stumps to dismiss Taylor.

Tahir then firmly put the Proteas in command by dismissing both Williams and Elton Chigumbura. The leg-spinner eventually finished with impressive figures of 5 for 23.

Earlier in the game, debutant, Rassie van der Dussen scored a fifty to help his side post a competitive 160 for 6. He added 87 for the fourth wicket with David Miller to help South Africa recover from a poor start.

The second T20I of the three-match rubber will be played at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on October 12.

Brief scores:

South Africa 160 for 6 (van den Dussen 56, Miller 39, Jarvis 3-37) beat Zimbabwe 126 all out (Moor 44, Tahir 5-23) by 34 runs