South Africa pump Pakistan in T20 romp

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The Proteas carried their fine form from the one-day international series – which they won 4-1 – into the opening T20 match as they restricted Pakistan to just 9-98 from their 20 overs in Dubai.

Opening bowlers Dale Steyn (3-15 off four overs) and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (2-9 off four) did most of the damage, as Umar Akmal (49) ran out of partners.

Quinton de Kock (48 not out) and captain Faf du Plessis (37 not out) led South Africa to an easy with the bat, as they reached their victory target in the 15th over.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, but were made to rue their decision as Tsotsobe removed Ahmed Shehzad for a duck in the first over.

Steyn then got in on the act, dismissing Sohaib Maqsood (four) and Mohammad Hafeez (zero) in the second over, with both caught behind by wicket-keeper De Kock.

The likes of Shahid Afridi (10), Shoaib Malik (12) and Abdul Razzaq (10) failed to lift the hosts, with the trio unable to build on promising starts.

And that meant there was no help for Umar, who hit four fours and one six in a 41-ball stay at the crease.

Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir (2-17 off four) enjoyed success with the ball for South Africa, as the losers were unable to stem the flow of wickets.

De Kock ran Umar out from the penultimate ball of the innings, and Saeed Ajmal (zero) perished from the final delivery, with Pakistan posting their lowest T20 score since September 2012, when they were bowled out for 74 by Australia.

The visitors quickly got into their rhythm with the bat as Hashim Amla (13) and De Kock scored nine off the first over, and although the former was bowled by Sohail Tanvir (1-21 off two) in the third over, they maintained a strong start.

De Kock hit three fours and two big sixes in his 38-ball knock, while Du Plessis also hit four fours and one six.

The 83-run partnership saw South Africa cruise to victory, as they took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

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