Pakistan v South Africa, 2013-14
Wisden's review of the first Twenty20 International, Pakistan vs South Africa, 2013-14
15-Apr-2014
At Dubai, November 13, 2013 (floodlit). South Africa won by nine wickets. Toss: Pakistan.
This was the first of seven 20-over internationals for each side leading into the 2014 World Twenty20. But two overs into the scheduled 40 - with Pakistan slipping to four for three - the match was done and dusted. Their captain, Mohammad Hafeez, fell once more to Steyn, who even afforded himself a laugh at his victim's expense: it was the 12th time in 18 innings across all formats that he had dismissed him. Others chipped in: Tsotsobe bowled two maidens, and 18 dot balls in all, while Imran Tahir continued to torment his former countrymen. Umar Akmal saved Pakistan from total obliteration, but his 49 still could not quite take them into triple figures. South Africa didn't need to tear into their target and, to rub it in, Sohaib Maqsood missed the chance to catch Amla first ball. De Kock and du Plessis both carried over their good one-day form to take South Africa home with more than five overs to spare.
Man of the Match: D. W. Steyn.
This was the first of seven 20-over internationals for each side leading into the 2014 World Twenty20. But two overs into the scheduled 40 - with Pakistan slipping to four for three - the match was done and dusted. Their captain, Mohammad Hafeez, fell once more to Steyn, who even afforded himself a laugh at his victim's expense: it was the 12th time in 18 innings across all formats that he had dismissed him. Others chipped in: Tsotsobe bowled two maidens, and 18 dot balls in all, while Imran Tahir continued to torment his former countrymen. Umar Akmal saved Pakistan from total obliteration, but his 49 still could not quite take them into triple figures. South Africa didn't need to tear into their target and, to rub it in, Sohaib Maqsood missed the chance to catch Amla first ball. De Kock and du Plessis both carried over their good one-day form to take South Africa home with more than five overs to spare.
Man of the Match: D. W. Steyn.