SA vs PAK: Reeza Hendricks 117 powers South Africa to series win over Pakistan

Reeza Hendricks’ maiden T20I hundred ensured that South Africa defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in the 2nd T20I in Centurion on Friday, December 13.

The victory on Friday ensured that South Africa secured their first bilateral T20I series win since August 2022, as they executed the third-highest successful chase at SuperSport Park. This victory ended a streak of eight series without a trophy, the last being against Ireland more than two years ago. The series win also marked a notable milestone for Rob Walter, who secured his first T20I series victory as South Africa’s white-ball coach since taking over in March 2023.

South Africa, asked to field first, conceded the fifth-highest first-innings total at SuperSport Park but chased it down with three balls to spare. The foundation of their chase was a partnership between Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen, who added 157 runs off 83 balls for the third wicket. Van der Dussen complemented Hendricks with his seventh T20I fifty and hit the winning runs, joined by stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen at the other end.

Pakistan leaned heavily on slower deliveries during their bowling innings, but the game may have slipped from their grasp earlier. Despite posting a total exceeding 200, their scoring rate faltered at a critical juncture. At 103 for 1 after 11 overs, they added only 33 runs for three wickets in the next five overs. This period saw impactful bowling from debutant Dayyaan Galiem and left-arm spinner George Linde. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s innings was buoyed by two major partnerships: an 87-run stand between Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, followed by a quick-fire 73-run collaboration between Ayub and Irfan Khan for the fifth wicket.

Dayyaan Galiem had an eventful debut. Initially not slated to play, he stepped in after Anrich Nortje’s injury. Despite some challenges, including a dropped catch that proved costly, Galiem showcased his potential. His spell of 2 for 21 in four overs included 12 dot balls, and his maiden international wicket came with Usman Khan’s dismissal. Later, he dismissed Tayyab Tahir with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort. However, another dropped catch highlighted the ups and downs of his debut performance.

Saim Ayub impressed with his career-best 98 not out, narrowly missing his maiden T20I century. Despite a cautious start, Ayub dominated the bowling attack with powerful strokes, including multiple sixes off Kwena Maphaka. He reached his first half-century off 33 balls and looked set for a hundred but was starved of the strike in the closing overs, facing only six balls in the final three overs.

Jahandad Khan, brought into Pakistan’s side in place of Sufiyan Muqeem, made an immediate impact with two early wickets. He dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Matthew Breetzke in quick succession, leaving South Africa in trouble at 28 for 2 after four overs.

Hendricks responded to being dropped from the ODI squad with a masterful innings. After a cautious start, he accelerated with a series of sixes, bringing up his fifty off 29 balls. He continued to dominate, reaching his century off 54 balls with seven fours and 10 sixes. His knock of 117 off 63 balls brought South Africa within touching distance of victory. When he departed, only 21 runs were needed, which the team secured with three balls to spare.