South Africa vs Zimbabwe, First T20I: Twitter Reacts As Imran Tahir's Five-For Guides Hosts To Comfortable Win
Updated - 10 Oct 2018, 11:10 AM
Imran Tahir spun a web around Zimbabwe batsmen as South Africa overcame a stunning assault from Peter Moor to win the first T20I on Tuesday.
For the second time in last three games, Zimbabwe batsmen failed to deal with Imran Tahir. Consequently, they ended up on the losing side once again. The leg-spinner, who had taken six wickets in the second ODI, picked up five on his latest outing to derail Zimbabwe in their pursuit of 161. Eventually the Proteas won the game by 34 runs to go one nil up in the three-match series.
Batting first, South Africa were off to a poor start. Their openers – Gihahn Cloete and Quinton de Kock – were back in the hut with just 11 runs on the board. Faf du Plessis and debutant Rassie van der Dussen then took the score past the 50-run mark. But before the duo could put up a big stand, Brandon Mavuta sent back du Plessis to reduce South Africa to 52 for 3.
Van der Dussen and David Miller then steadied the ship with a 87-run stand. The debutant went on to score 56 off 44 balls while Miller scored 39 as South Africa ended on 160 for 6.
In reply, Zimbabwe were off to a poor start too. Tahir took 3 wickets on four deliveries to leave 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. At 70 for 7, it looked all over for Zimbabwe. However, Peter Moor was not ready to throw in the towel yet as he blasted 44 off just 21 to revive Zimbabwe’s fading hopes.
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. 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.
Fans, meanwhile, were quick to react to the game. Here are some of the reactions:
Proteas have mastered the "not looking convincing" thing so close to a world cup.. #SAvZIM
— EEMS (@NaeemahBenjamin) October 9, 2018
Zimbabwe cricket is like that abusive husband who insists he will change but never does….#SAvZIM
— charlesmwase (@charlestc5) October 3, 2018
This right here is why I love Imran Tahir he's always happy to chat. From one leg spinner to another. #SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/iKcLEVwenk
— Tim Dale Lace (@Tim32_cricket) October 9, 2018
Amazing scenes from East London. After taking 5/23 to guide the Proteas to victory against Zimbabwe – Imran Tahir stayed on the field to give bowling tips to the opposition. (Video courtesy of Suren Packery) pic.twitter.com/bW07Vcwgj1
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) October 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/ThatoMamathuba/status/1049732848599621632
https://twitter.com/billz_25/status/1049732824343949313
Sensational #ImranTahir takes T20i career best 5/23 against Zimbabwe & becomes leading T20i wicket-taker for South Africa.
Meanwhile as day belonged to Sialkotis, Imran Tahir has played three FirstClass & three List-A matches at SIALKOT city too.?? #SAvZIM #PAKvAUS
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 9, 2018
Doesn't Imran Tahir inspire you to love what you do? Five wicket haul (5/23) to inspire SA to victory in the first #T20i in EL and win Man of the Match. He is now also the leading wicket taker in this format for the Proteas. Take a bow! #SAvZIM #ProteaFire ? @cricbuzz pic.twitter.com/mRwjwLJiMa
— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) October 9, 2018
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