Pakistan bowlers effectively masked the way their batting lineup faltered in the second T20 game. However, the rot beneath the surface came to haunt Pakistan once again as South Africa scripted another win in the series. Currently, the visitors lead the five-match series 2-1, but if Pakistan batters do not fix what’s broken, this might turn into an unassailable lead.
Pakistan bowlers started strong
Being sent into bowl first, Pakistan did well to make early inroads, dismissing three batters within the powerplay. South Africa had just 36 runs on the scoreboard after the first six overs.
Captain Mieke van Voorst then paired up with Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout to lead the side to recovery. The two batters made Pakistan lose their momentum slowly as they made sure to score at least one boundary per over for the next five.
But trouble got South Africa once again with Bezuidenhout and incoming batter Jeze Campher departing in successive overs. But the skipper and right-handed batter Danelie Boshoff refused to let their progress slip away. The two batters slowly started stepping on the gas and went full throttle in the 18th and 19th overs, where they collectively put 42 runs off 12 balls.
Batting units collapse once again
Maham Nazakat bowled a brilliant final over, conceding three runs and taking one wicket, but the damage had already been done.
Pakistan’s chase never really began. Half the team was back to the hut within the first eight overs, with the board showing only 28 runs. Shahar Bano and Areesha Ansari tried to turn the game around, but as it turned out, it was not a two-player job. Both batters departed in the 12th and 13th overs, after which the remaining batters could only add 30 more runs.
Pakistan lost the game by 52 runs as the entire team was bowled out with two overs to spare.
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