SA Vs PAK, 1st T20I Highlights: David Miller, George Linde Power South Africa To Victory In Durban

The live telecast of the South Africa vs Pakistan series will be available on the Sports18 network, while the live streaming of the same will be on the JioCinema app and website.

South Africa: Heinrich Klaasen (c), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickleton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen.

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan

Before today's clash in Durban, Pakistan and South Africa have locked horns 22 times in T20 internationals. Out of these 22 games, Pakistan have won 12, while South Africa have emerged victorious on 10 occasions. In the last five matches too, Pakistan have the upper hand, with four wins as against the Proteas' sole victory back in 2021 in Johannesburg. The two teams last met at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Sydney, with the Men In Green coming up trumps by 33 runs in a rain-marred contest.

South Africa come into the Pakistan series with a 2-0 Test series win against Sri Lanka, while the tourists enter the long multi-format series with ODI and T20I wins against Zimbabwe.

South Africa have won the toss and have opted to bat.

South Africa (Playing XI): Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Heinrich Klaasen(w/c), David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Andile Simelane, Nqabayomzi Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Ottneil Baartman

Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed

Heinrich Klaasen: "We're going to bat first. Wicket has been fantastic for the last few seasons. Hopefully we can put pressure on them later. We're looking to start this festive season well. Our camp was fantastic. The boys trained nice and hard, we had some hard conversations and we're looking for an opportunity to get going here."

"We gave a lot of guys an opportunity, keeping an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup. Well deserved rest for some of the seasoned guys and an opportunity for some of the newer guys. They've got a highly experienced lineup, they've been playing some good cricket so it's going to be a good contest."

Mohammad Rizwan: We would've done the same. If you do well, it won't make a difference. We are looking at how we can get some domestic stars into the setup. Everyone loves playing here. They all perform well here. We did well here before, hopefully we can repeat that.

Shaun Pollock: "Pleasant evening, still humid and a stiff breeze coming down. It will humid but not as hot as we've had over the last few days. 66m and 60m square boundaries, 79m down the ground. It looks like a peach of a surface, lot of grass but it's not green. It's brown. It won't be nipping around, it'll come on to the bat nicely and there will be nice carry. Decision to bat first makes sense, it might nip around a bit later under lights."

Shaheen Afridi strikes early and Pakistan have their first for the evening as Rassie van der Dussan drags one back onto the stumps. The visitors are pumped and they have all the reasons to be. Perfect start to the series.

Matthew Breetzke has come and Matthew Breetzke has gone. A good Pakistan start gets better, and South Africa are in a little trouble very early on in the game. Mohammad Rizwan must be a happy, happy man.

There's a bit of counter-attacking from Hendricks and Miller, but the show is over. Abrar Ahmed has one more and South Africa are three down for just 28 in under four overs.

And that's the powerplay done, and Pakistan have won it, and won it comfortably. South Africa will hope the Klaasen-Miller will mature, and certainly has the potential. The hosts are 43 for the loss of three after six overs.

After a small partnership, South Africa lose their fourth, and this time around, it this their skipper Heinrich Klaasen. The parntership was just starting to build but Pakistan have a wicket at the perfect time and the tourists are thrilled.

David Miller doing David Miller things. After South Africa won the toss and decided to bat, not much for anybody, but for a certain man has been on fire, hitting monsters. This has been impressive, and especially the shots over extra cover. And to add to the drama, Miller goes 6,6,6 v Abrar.

Pakistan smile again as South Africa lose Donovan Ferreira for seven. However, on the other end, David Miller continues to put on an absolute masterclass and has raced to 80* from just 37 balls.

It gets better and better for Pakistan as Abrar Ahmed strikes again, and this time it is Andile Simelane. They are in a lot of trouble, having lost seven for just 136 runs, which at the moment, seems very much below par in Durban. Pakistan back in the game.

With just three overs to go, South Africa will aim to score at least 170, and all hopes will be pinned on George Linde. The average first innings score at Kingsmead in Durban is around the 170-mark and it could be a good second half if SA manage to get there.

Well, that was some finish, and South Africa end with 183/9 as they complete a recovery. Orthodox cricket shots, brilliant timing and perfect placement saw Miller score a scintillating 83, while Linde, with the tail put on a masterclass, helping the hosts to put an above average total in Durban.

We are all ready to go, but there's a bit of delay. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are set to open for Pakistan, while Kwena Maphaka has the new ball for South Africa.

South Africa's 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka just clocked 148 kph. Real god gas, and he's hitting the bat hard. He also strangled Babar Azam down leg, and they appeal, and also send it upstairs. However, he survives as the ball hits the pad.

The 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka has Babar Azam's number but the super talent Saim Ayub has walked in at No.3 for Pakistan and has shown signs of serious intent, scoring three boundaries on the trot, and the Pakistan run-chase is back on track

Pakistan are suddenly on song as Saim Ayub's 13-ball 31 has shifted gears drastically after a very sedate start. Not much risks, but has been striking at over 200. Proper batter, conventional cricket.

After glimpses of brilliance, Pakistan lose Saim Ayub, and the cycle for the talented batter continues. Promise - Power - Throws It Away. However, Pakistan have recovered from a slow start and all hopes will be on Mohammad Rizwan to play the captain's role and take his team home.

Mohammad Rizwan has dropped off a little, but remains absolutely key. He's scored 28 from 35 balls, but has spent quite a bit of time at the crease. On the other side, he has Tayyub to attack, with Pakistan needing 91 from 48. Anyone's game from here. Should be a cracking finish.

Credit to the South African bowlers, making it difficult for the Pakistan batters. Tayyub, taking on the short ball, now holds onto long-on. With the required run rate increasing, the hosts are on top at the moment. Shaheen Afridi walks in to bat at No.6 for Pakistan, ahead of Irfan. Interesting.

Three overs, 36 runs. Mohammad Rizwan. Shaheen Afridi. Kingsmead, Durban. We just might have a game on our hands. Pakistan will need to break the shackles and will they get the job done? It is doable with respect to the T20I standards.

George Linde is on cloud-nine. What a night he's having, and he is all over Pakistan. Four overs, 21 runs, four wickets - all of that after a brilliant batting display. Pakistan need 31 from 12, with Rizwan still there.

And South Africa have won the contest by 11 runs and go 1-0 up in the series.

"Almost a perfect comeback game apart from the hat-trick ball. I have played quite a lot of cricket, have had a pretty good season so far, tried to keep calm and ask myself what the team needs. When he gave it out I was surprised but told the boys it was going down leg (hat-trick ball). I felt calm today for some reason. I missed the bus while coming to the ground, I thought I had to deliver and glad I did. The police escorted me to the ground."

"Lot of positives. The innings from Miller and Linde took the momentum away from us. The counterattack from Miller took the momentum as we had started well by picking early wickets. The spinners bowled very well, they used the pitch and conditions well. There are a lot of positives and hopefully we do well in the next match."

"I wouldn't say it was a great performance but a couple of guys stepped up. There are small margins in cricket, pleased we didn't bomb up after losing wickets early. Those three youngsters Peter, Maphaka and Simelane.. along with Georgy (Linde) had a great game. He (Miller) had a fantastic game. He has been working really hard and may it continue for long. Looking forward to all five games."

Thank you so much for joining us, and we will see you soon. Until next time, take care and goodbye.