First T20I
South Africa: 185/6 (Amla 62, Du Plessis 36, Boult 2/8)
New Zealand: 107 all out (Bruce 33, Tahir 5/24, Phehlukwayo 3/19, Morris 2/10)
South Africa won by 78 runs
CAPE TOWN - Imran Tahir showed off his world number one T20 bowler status to the New Zealand public with a stirring five-wicket haul at Eden Park on Friday.
Tahir, the best white-ball bowler on the planet, had the Black Caps in a spin after Chris Morris and Andile Phelukwayo had put the hosts on the back foot with telling strikes.
Earlier, Hashim Amla has also struck a rapid 62 off 43 balls (9x4, 1x6) which lit up the South African innings upfront.
New Zealand’s chase though began in the worst possible manner when Morris, who opened the bowling in the absence of Kagiso Rabada, set the tone with the ball. The lanky seamer struck off consecutive deliveries in his second over with Black Caps debutant Glenn Phillips being caught behind. He then sent down a rasping delivery that pushed back Colin Munro’s off stump. South Africa had the perfect start with Morris completing a double-wicket maiden over.
South Africa maintained the pressure throughout the New Zealand innings with only Wayne Parnell having an off-colour night with the ball.
Parnell’s Cobras teammate Dane Paterson supported Morris well upfront with the new ball and would have felt much better with his performance in his second T20I after a disappointing debut at Newlands a few weeks ago.
But it was Phehlukwayo that showed his knack of picking up wickets almost at will again. The young Dolphins all-rounder grabbed another three scalps to ensure New Zealand could not recover from their early setbacks. Included among the three wickets was the big one of Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson, who picked out Parnell on the square-leg boundary.
No South African party is complete without Tahir’s celebratory dances though. The leg-spinner was in imperious form, landing his googly to perfection, and claiming New Zealand’s top-scorer Tom Bruce (33 off 28 balls, 3x4, 2x6) and wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi off consecutive deliveries.
There was no hat-trick on this occasion, but the Black Caps’ tail was exposed and Tahir helped himself to the easy pickings. Colin de Grandhomme attempted the “attack is the best form of defence” philosophy by spoiling Tahir’s figures with consecutive sixes, but he too fell victim to the intoxicating spell of leg-spin bowling of Tahir along with Ben Wheeler and Tim Southee.
It was Tahir’s maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket and the veteran was especially pleased with his efforts, kneeling down on the ground in a prayer position, after reaching the milestone.
South Africa’s batting effort was built upon Amla and captain Faf du Plessis sharing a rapid 87-run partnership before AB de Villiers (26 off 17 balls, 3x4, 1x6) and JP Duminy (29 off 16 balls, 2x4, 2x6) both chipped in with cameos towards the backend of the innings. Boult was the most impressive New Zealand bowler completing his four overs for just eight runs and picking up two wickets.