Proteas ease past Pakistan in Abu Dhabi T20 match
By ANIWednesday, October 27, 2010
ABU DHABI - South Africa has clinched victory over Pakistan in a Twenty20 international clash in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan slumped to a dismal six-wicket defeat in the match.
Pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe and off-spinner Johan Botha took three wickets apiece to help South Africa to victory and a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, Fox Sports reports.
Tsotsobe, with a career-best 3-16, and skipper Botha (3-31) led a spirited South Africa bowling to restrict Pakistan to a paltry 119 at the Abu Dhabi Stadium in a match that will see proceeds go to flood victims in Pakistan.
Jean-Paul Duminy hit an elegant 41 while Colin Ingram remained unbeaten with 46 as South Africa reached the target after losing three early wickets for 26.
Shoaib Akhtar gave Pakistan some hope with the quick wickets of opener Loots Bosman and AB de Villiers in the third over.
Ingram hit two towering sixes and four boundaries during his 38-ball knock, while Duminy hit five boundaries as the two dominated the Pakistan bowling which initially looked threatening.
Earlier, Tsotsobe and off-spinner Botha bowled tightly to derail Pakistan, who won the toss and batted on a flat pitch.
Misbah-ul-Haq, recalled after being axed following the World Twenty20 in May, top scored with 27 with a six and two boundaries.
Skipper Shahid Afridi hit a rapid seven-ball 25 before he became one of Botha’s three victims.
Pakistan’s home series has been shifted to United Arab Emirates due to security fears back home.
The two teams meet in a second Twenty20 before playing the first of two one-day internationals and the second Test in Abu Dhabi. Dubai will stage the last three one-day and the first Test. (ANI)
