SA vs Pak 1st T20I: Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf script Pakistan's record chase to clinch thriller

Rizwan smashed an unbeaten 74 off 50 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) to help Pakistan chase down a testing 189-run target with one delivery to spare.

Pakistan batsman Mohammad Rizwan (Source: Twitter)

Mohammad Rizwan continued his rich form against South Africa as he smashed yet another half-century to help Pakistan script their highest-ever T20I run-chase as the visitors take a 1-0 lead in their four-match series with a four-wicket win in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The right-hander crafted an unbeaten 74 off 50 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) to help the tourists chase down a testing 189-run target with one delivery to spare.

Stat Alert
188 at Johannesburg (tonight) is Pakistan's highest run chase in T20Is. Previously, Pakistan chased down the target of 184 runs (187-4 in 19.2 ov) against Australia at Harare Sports Club.#SAvPAK #HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/kCcyuJjdWE — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 10, 2021

Stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram had earlier struck half-centuries in a strong batting display by South Africa - the former striking an aggressive 50 off 28 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) and the latter a slightly slower 51 off 32 balls (8 fours, 1 six).

Beuran Hendricks then grabbed three for 32 and Tabraiz Shamsi two for 29 to put the home side on the front foot during the chase, but destructive late hitting by Faheem Ashraf (30 off 14 balls) coupled with some sloppy fielding helped the visitors get over the line.

They now have the advantage in the series ahead of the second match on Monday.

The Asian side, who also won the ODIs 2-1, again played smart cricket to get over the line, with Rizwan at the forefront. He now has a century, two half-centuries, and a 42 from his last four innings against the Proteas.

Before that, however, it was the inexperienced home side that shone at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium.

Coach Mark Boucher handed debuts to three players - Lizaad Williams, Sisanda Magala and Wihan Lubbe - but it was Markram and Janneman Malan who initially shone.

Malan hit 24 upfront, but quickly fell followed by Lubbe (4). Markram and Klaasen then added 62 for the third wicket, before Pite van Biljon (24) continued the upward trajectory for the hosts.

Andile Phehlukwayo and Magala (both 9) added some late runs to set the Pakistanis a tough target.

Rizwan and the in-form Fakhar Zaman (27) then fired upfront, before Shamsi and Hendricks pegged back the visitors with some timely strikes that left them struggling on 132 for five in the 16th over.

But Faheem provided some critical boundaries to take Pakistan close, with Rizwan then taking them over the line.

Brief Scores: South Africa 188/6 (Aiden Markram 51, Heinrich Klaasen 50; Mohammad Nawaz 2-21); Pakistan 189/6 (Mohammad Rizwan 74*, Faheem Ashraf 30; Beuran Hendricks 3-32)