Twitter Reactions: Miller and Phehlukwayo take down number-one ranked Pakistan at the Wanderers

After the jaw-dropping game at the Newlands in Cape Town, the second T20I between Pakistan and South Africa at the New Wanderers turned out to be a cliffhanger. In the end, the ICC’s number one ranked T20I team couldn’t get over the line and lost by seven runs. Most importantly, Pakistan lost the series 2-0 and the defeat also ended their 11-series’ victory streak in the shortest format.

Miller steps up with the bat

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first and the decision didn’t work out as the Proteas notched 188 for three in 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks and Janneman Malan got their team off to a steady start with a partnership of 58 runs. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim removed the debutant Malan for 33 runs to strike first blood. Hendricks also perished after scoring 28 with three fours at a tad over a run-a-ball.

Rassie van der Dussen failed in the first match but made amends with a knock of 45 from 27 balls and his knock was laced with one four and four over-boundaries. David Miller didn’t die wondering and scored his half-century in 25 balls. The left-hander remained not out on 65 from 29 balls with four fours and five sixes. Apart from Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the only other wicket-taker for Pakistan.

Babar leads the run-chase

Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman went hammer and tongs and added 45 runs for the first wicket in just 24 deliveries. To the hosts’ relief, left-arm speedster Beuran Hendricks got rid of Zaman, who scored 14. Hussain Talat joined Babar in the middle and carried on the good work. In the meantime, Babar racked up a fifty in 34 balls and looked set to take his team over the line, but fate had other ideas for him.

Just when he was set to score a century, Hendricks pinned him for 90 that was scored in 58 balls with 13 fours and a six. Asif Ali was the third wicket to fall to Andile Phehlukwayo.  Talat notched his half-century in 39 balls. In the last two overs, Pakistan needed 27 runs. Talat was cleaned up by Chris Morris and he dismissed Imad Wasim as well. Phehlukwayo nipped out Shoaib Malik to seal the fate of the match.

Here is how Twitter reacted

https://twitter.com/JoweriaMalik_/status/1092096622115336192

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