Pakistan's hopes of victory in the first T20I against South Africa were dashed despite a steady innings by their captain, Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan's cautious approach saw him score a 62-ball 74 runs but unfortunately it was too little too late as Pakistan fell short of their target of 184 by 11 runs. This was Rizwan's third-lowest strike rate in an innings where he scored over 50 runs, showcasing his slow yet steady play. However, it was not enough to secure Pakistan a win against South Africa.
Pakistan Falls Short Despite Rizwan's Steady Innings
Pakistan's hopes of a victorious start to their T20I series against South Africa were dashed in the first match on Friday, as the Proteas emerged victorious by 11 runs despite a valiant effort from captain Mohammad Rizwan.
Background
The match, played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, was the first of a three-match series between the two sides. Pakistan, fresh off a Test series victory, were looking to carry their momentum into the shortest format. South Africa, on the other hand, entered the series with a strong home record and were eager to prove their dominance.
Match Overview
After winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first and posted a formidable total of 184/6 thanks to half-centuries from Rilee Rossouw (63) and Aiden Markram (54). Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain the Proteas batsmen, with only Mohammad Wasim Jr. impressing with figures of 3/34.
In response, Pakistan got off to a slow start, losing both openers cheaply. However, Rizwan steadied the innings with a patient knock. The wicketkeeper-batter faced 62 deliveries and scored 74 runs, but his slow strike rate (119.35) hindered Pakistan's chase.
Despite Rizwan's efforts, Pakistan fell short of their target by 11 runs, with David Miller (25) and Mohammad Nawaz (24*) contributing valuable runs in the middle order. Kagiso Rabada (3/37) and Wayne Parnell (2/25) were the pick of the South African bowlers.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why was Rizwan's strike rate so low? Rizwan's strike rate was low due to his cautious approach. He preferred to play safe and accumulate runs rather than take risks and go for boundaries.
2. What was the biggest factor in South Africa's victory? South Africa's strong batting performance, particularly Rossouw and Markram's half-centuries, laid the foundation for their victory. Their bowlers also played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan's chase.
3. What are Pakistan's chances of winning the series? Despite the loss in the first match, Pakistan still have a chance to win the series. They have a talented team and will be looking to bounce back in the remaining two matches.
4. What are the key takeaways for Pakistan from this match? Pakistan will need to improve their opening partnership and strike rate in future matches. They also need to find a way to contain South Africa's dangerous batting lineup.
5. What is the impact of this loss on Rizwan's captaincy? The loss is unlikely to have a major impact on Rizwan's captaincy. He is a respected leader and has the support of his team and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.