South Africa beat Pakistan by 11 runs: First T20I – as it happened

Similar to South Africa’s run in T20s since their appearance in the final, Pakistan have been in a downward spiral since their runners-up finish at the T20 World Cup in 2022.

Since losing to England in the Melbourne final, Pakistan have lost three of their six bilateral series. Their only series victories have come against Zimbabwe (2-1) and Ireland (2-1).

The 2009 champions have lost away to England (2-0), drawn at home against a depleted New Zealand side (2-2), lost away to New Zealand (4-1) and away to Afghanistan (2-1).

Last five results (latest first): L-L-W-W-L

Be sure to follow our live Champions League blog (details below). But for now, we are bringing an end to our coverage of South Africa’s thrilling victory over Pakistan in Durban.

The hosts took a 1-0 series lead after an eventful evening which saw them winning by just 11 runs.

We’ll continue to keep watch across this series, as both teams head to Pretoria for the next match on Friday.

But for now, from me Adam Hancock and my colleague Hafsa Adil, it’s goodbye!

The UEFA Champions League is under way tonight and you can switch across to our live page as we bring you coverage of Atalanta vs Real Madrid.

It’s around 35 minutes in and the Spaniards are leading 1-0.

You can follow all of the action here.

If the remaining two games are as entertaining as this one, then we are in for one heck of a T20 international series.

We won’t have to wait long until the second instalment, with the two sides meeting again in Pretoria on Friday.

The series will conclude on Sunday, December 15 in Johannesburg.

🟢🟡Match Result

What a start to the Series!😮💨

🇿🇦South Africa win by 11 runs down in Durban.

The Proteas take a 1-0 lead in the 3-Match KFC T20i Series, as they head up to Pretoria next.🏟️😁🏏#WozaNawe#BePartOfIt #SAVPAK pic.twitter.com/uqQlJwZsMT

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 10, 2024

We’ve also been hearing from South African skipper Heinrich Klaasen after his side secured a dramatic victory:

“Miller and Linde delivered unbelievable performances. We scraped it in the end, but we’d like other guys to step up, as well,” he said.

He was full of praise for the match winner, Linde describing him as a player who “can change a game”.

He also heaped praise on top-scorer, David Miller:

“To see him deliver a performance like this in his hometown pleased all of us,” said the skipper.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan has been reflecting on that incredible game in Durban this evening.

Unsurprisingly, he was quick to acknowledge the match-winning performances of David Miller and George Linde:

“Miller’s innings and Linde’s performance took the game away from us,” he said.

“We took early wickets, but Miller took the momentum away from us.

“We were surprised by the spin and how well the spinners bowled. They used the conditions and pace,” explained Rizwan.

Pakistan captain @iMRizwanPak brings up his 30th T20I fifty #SAvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/0f9EYP20PE

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 10, 2024

George Linde was undoubtedly South Africa’s star man overall. He scored a vital 48 runs with the bat late on and then took four wickets with the ball.

He even thought he had a hat-trick, until DRS cruelly stole it from him.

He spoke after the match.

“It was almost the perfect comeback. Like a dream comeback. I’ve played quite a lot of cricket so I just tried to be calm. I am glad I delivered for the team,” he said.

Linde also added that he missed the team bus ahead of this match. South African fans will be very thankful that he managed to make it to Kingsmead!

A total 184 looked daunting for Pakistan, but the visitors did a good job of getting close.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 74 runs, but he wasn’t able to see the chase out as he fell in the final over.

It also took him 62 balls to reach that total, just a touch too slow for what Pakistan required.

The South African bowlers deserve plenty of credit for their performance, particularly George Linde, who picked up four wickets and almost single-handedly changed the game in the penultimate over of the match.

What a match in Durban!

South Africa defend their 183 total by 11 runs.

Brilliant drama right up until the final few balls. Great stuff.

Pakistan need 14 runs off two balls.

Barring a bowler error, it’s done.

The new man is in and a sliced shot allows him to run for two.

Pakistan need 16 from three balls.

Is that curtains for Pakistan?

Rizwan tries to pull a shorter ball, but catches a big top edge and the ball slices up into the air.

The skipper is caught at short third man. He’s gone for 74, and Pakistan’s hopes lie with the tail.

Maphaka is trusted with the final delivery. Rauf gets off strike.

Pakistan still need 18.

Rizwan finds consecutive boundaries to keep Pakistan hopes alive.

They need 19 runs from the final over of the night. What drama.

Baartman is back for the penultimate over.

After all that drama, I’d almost forgotten about the situation of the match!

Rizwan smashes the third ball of the over for six. Pakistan are still just about in this.

18.4 overs. Pakistan 157-7

Wow, wow, wow!

Rauf comes in to face the hat-trick ball and is also given out LBW.

He can’t read the bounce of the ball and it straightens up to hit his pads.

The umpire raises his finger, but the review shows that the ball was going to miss the stumps down the leg side.

Unbelievable drama.

Linde is on a hat-trick!

He traps Afridi at his crease LBW. Pakistan review but it’s plumb.

Abbas Afridi lbw b Linde 0 

Irfan is the next man in and he’s almost immediately out.

He tries to drive the ball over the top for six, but doesn’t get enough carry on it and is easily caught in the deep.

Pakistan need 31 runs from 14 balls.

Irfan Khan c Breetzke b Linde 1

Linde returns to the attack and he needs to try and keep Afridi on strike and runs at a premium.

There’s an attempted stumping of Afridi off the second ball of the over, as the batsman goes for a wide delivery.

The replay shows that the batsman couldn’t keep a toe on the line as he tried to keep his balance after reaching for the ball. Great work from Klaasen behind the stumps.

Shaheen Shah Afridi st Klaasen b Linde 9

Rizwan slaps the free hit for six over long off.

Pakistan have changed the momentum of this match. A total 184 is looking doable.