Imran Tahir spun a web around Zimbabwe as South Africa won the first T20I by 34 runs and go one nil up in the three-match series.
South Africa’s decision to bat first backfired initially as Kyle Jarvis had debutant Gihahn Cloete caught at first slip in the opening over. Chris Mpofu then accounted for Quinton De Kock to leave the Proteas reeling at 11 for 2.
Debutant Rassie van der Dussen shared a 41-run third wicket partnership with skipper Faf du Plessis (30) and an impressive 87-run fourth-wicket stand with David Miller (39) to help South Africa recover from a poor total and post a challenging 160 for 6. The right -handed batsman departed after scoring 56.
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For Zimbabwe, Jarvis finished with 3/37 and Mpofu 2/24. Their spinner Brando Bavuta’s four overs of legs-pin cost just 19 runs.
In reply, Zimbabwe were off to a terrible start with Tahir doing the bulk of the damage. The veteran dismissed Chamu Chibhabha (3) in his first over before taking two wickets in two balls. As a result, Zimbabwe found themselves three down for just 11.
Brendan Taylor (19) and Sean Williams looked to consolidate, sharing a 29-run stand. However, before they could revive their team’s hopes, De Kock pulled off a sensational catch behind the stumps to send back Taylor.
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Tahir returned for his third over and claimed another pair of scalps in consecutive balls, as Williams (21) danced down the track only to be bowled and Elton Chigumbura fell lbw. The game looked as good as over as Zimbabwe found themselves 7 down for 70.
However, Peter Moor was not ready to throw in the towel yet as he blasted 44 off just 21 to revive Zimbabwe’s fading hopes. He launched an astonishing counterattack to revive his nation’s hopes. The right-hander hit Tabraiz Shamsi for four sixes in a row in the 15th over. Brandon Mavuta also complimented Moor by hitting Junior Dala for two fours and a six in the next over.
As a result, the equation came down to 38 off 25 ball. However, when Junior Dala ended the 19-ball 53-run stand by dismissing Mavuta, Zimbabwe’s innings fell away. The visitors were eventually out for 126.
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The second T20I of the three-match rubber will be played at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on October 12.
Brief scores:
South Africa 160 for 6 (van den Dussen 56, Miller 39, Jarvis 3-37) beat Zimbabwe 126 all out (Moor 44, Tahir 5-23) by 34 runs