Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has referred to as for an pressing enchancment in his crew’s middle-order batting after their 55-run defeat to South Africa within the opening T20I of the three-match collection in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Chasing 195 for victory, Pakistan had been bundled out for 139 in 18.1 oversundone by a disciplined bowling show led by Corbin Bosch and George Linde. The loss uncovered Pakistan’s recurring wrestle to construct significant partnerships, a priority Agha was fast to deal with within the post-match presentation.
“We’re shedding wickets too rapidly, particularly within the center overs, and we have to repair that,” Agha mentioned. “We simply have to bat correctly, rotate the strike, take singles and doubles, and construct partnerships. That is the place we’re lacking out proper now. If we’ve got good partnerships, we are able to chase these sorts of totals.”
Pakistan’s innings by no means gathered momentum after early wickets derailed their chase. Saim Ayub top-scored with 37 off 28 balls, whereas Mohammad Nawaz offered transient resistance with a quickfire 36 off 20. Aside from the duo, no batter managed to cross 20 as Pakistan crumbled beneath sustained stress from the Proteas assault.
Earlier, South Africa posted 194 for 9, using on Reeza Hendricks’s 40-ball 60 and all-round contributions from Linde (36 off 22 and three/31). Debutant Tony de Zorzi additionally impressed with a brisk 33, serving to the guests race to 74/1 within the PowerPlay earlier than Pakistan’s bowlers pulled issues again.
Left-arm spinner Nawaz was Pakistan’s standout performer with the ball, claiming 3 for 26 in 4 overs. Saim Ayub picked up two wickets, whereas Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Naseem Shah took one every.
Reflecting on the crew’s general efficiency, Agha admitted Pakistan had been gradual to regulate early in each innings.
“We did not bowl properly within the PowerPlay. Bowling on the prime of off stump would’ve been ok, however we missed that. The constructive is that we pulled issues again properly later,” he famous. “However we’d like a fast turnaround – each with the ball up entrance and with the bat within the center overs.”
With South Africa taking a 1-0 lead within the collection, Pakistan face a must-win state of affairs heading into the second T20I. Agha and his males will look to deal with their batting frailties and regroup rapidly to maintain the collection alive.
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