South Africa Seal Series, End Pakistan's 11-Series Winning Run

South Africa, on Sunday, beat Pakistan by seven runs in a thrilling second T20I to seal the three-match series with a match to go.

Pakistan’s world-record run of 11 straight T20I series victories finally came to an end on Sunday as South Africa clinched a thriller at the Wanderers. The Proteas, without their regular skipper Faf du Plessis, successfully defended their total of 188 for 3 after two thrilling final overs. In the last couple of overs, Pakistan threw away a great chance to level the series, losing four wickets and ending on 181 for 7. The hosts now lead the series 2-0.

South Africa Seal Series, End Pakistan's 11-Series Winning Run
South Africa won the game by 7 runs (Credits: CSA)

With du Plessis rested, Janneman Malan made his T20I debut the top of the order. The debutant gave the hosts a good start, adding 58 runs for the first wicket with Reeza Hendricks. But a moment of madness saw his 33-run knock came to and end when he danced down the pitch to spinner Imad Wasim only to be easily stumped. Rassie van der Dussen, high on confidence after the fifty in the previous T20I, came out all guns blazing, slamming 45 off just 27 with the help of 1 four and four sixes. Hendricks, on the other hand, scored 28 before being run out.

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Stand-in skipper David Miller then provided the finishing touches with a whirlwind knock. He scored 65 off just 29 with the help of five sixes, three of them off Usman Shinwari in the final over to take the hosts to a challenging 188-3.

In reply, Pakistan were off to a good start. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman put on 45 runs for the first wicket before the latter was caught on the boundary off Beuran Hendricks for 14. It, however, did not make any difference whatsoever as Babar took control of the visitors’ chase. He scored 90 off 58 including 13 fours and a six and added 102 runs with Hussain Talat (55). However,  with the target in sight, he hit Beuran Hendricks straight to Junior Dala at midwicket in the seventeenth over.

South Africa Seal Series, End Pakistan's 11-Series Winning Run
Babar Azam scored 90 (Credits: PCB)

It started the collapse with Asif Ali, captain Malik, Imad and Hasan Ali all departing for single figures and Hussain Talat bowled by Chris Morris (2-36). Pakistan went on to lose the game by 7 runs and suffer their first T20I series defeat in nearly three years.

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