Tsotsobe & Botha Stars in Six-wicket Victory

Abu Dhabi: Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Johan Botha took three wickets apiece to help South Africa beat Pakistan by six wickets in the first of two T20 matches.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Johan Botha restricted Pakistan to 119 before Colin Ingram and JP Duminy revived the chase from a wobbly 26 for 3 with a 66-run partnership to push South Africa to victory in the first of the two Twenty20 games in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan fought hard with the bowling but the battle was lost by their batsmen.

There was a predictable monotony about the Pakistan batting. The openers didn't last long, Umar Akmal flattered to deceive, Shahid Afridi unfurled a couple of violent hits to threaten a revival, Misbah-ul-Haq batted slowly and the lower order collapsed.

5th consecutive win for the South Africans in T20Is. 46 unbeaten from Miller is the highest score at this venue by any batsman in a T20I.

Well, a professional performance by the visitors overall. They did well to restrict Pakistan to 119 after starting waywardly but were rocked back by early strikes. But a sensible stand of 66 in 65 balls for the fourth wicket between Duminy and Ingram put the hosts on track.

Duminy played his usual calm knock but the youngster Ingram was even more impressive, considering that this is just his 3rd T20I. Shoaib bowled well, picking up two early wickets in the same over, but his team had a very small target to defend.

Pakistan, though, would be happy with the fact that they did not allow South Africa to run away with the game, but at the same time, having picked up 3 quick scalps, could have bowled better.

Shoaib bowled well, picking up two early wickets in the same over, but his team had a very small target to defend. Pakistan, though, would be happy with the fact that they did not allow South Africa to run away with the game, but at the same time, having picked up 3 quick scalps, could have bowled better.

Brief score
Pakistan 119 (Tsotsobe 3-16, Botha 3-31)
South Africa 120 for 4 (Ingram 46*, Duminy 41)
Result South Africa won by six wickets
MOM JP Duminy (South Africa)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 232 runs 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn

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