Related Links : Pakistan Vs South Africa in UAE 2010/11 : South Africa Player Pages : Pakistan Player Pages : Scorecard of 1st T20I at Abu Dhabi
Pakistan batting failed completely to pave way for an easy victory for the South Africans in the 1st T20I at the Sheik Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. South Africa had to chase a target of just 120 from 20 overs which they did with 10 balls to spare to win by 6 wickets.
Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan could never recover after slipping to 84 for 5 in the 13th over. Skipper Shahid Afridi provided them hope with three sixes but could only last 7 balls in which he struck 25 runs. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 119 in 19.5 overs. Lonwabo Tsotsobe was the pick of the bowlers with 4-0-16-3. Johan Botha with 4-0-31-3 and Morne Morkel with 4-1-18-1 were the other contributors with the ball.
Shoaib Akhtar seemed to have brought back Pakistan in the game when he had two wickets in an over. South Africa were tottering along slightly when they lost Graeme Smith to be reduced at 26 for 3 in the 6th over. However, a 66-run stand for the fourth wicket between Man of the Match – JP Duminy (41 from 46 balls with 5 fours) and Colin Ingram (46* from 38 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes) sealed the game in favour of SA.