South Africa level T20 series against Pakistan

With a six-wicket win in the second game on Monday, South Africa leveled the T20 series against Pakistan.

Stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen made an unbeaten 36 off 21 balls to see the Proteas to 141-4 and past Pakistan’s 140-9 with six overs to spare.

Opener Aiden Markram set up South Africa’s big win with 54 from 30 balls at the top. He hit seven fours and three sixes and South Africa cruised from there.

Leg-spinner Usman Qadir gave South Africa a brief scare with the wickets of Markram and Pite van Biljon (2) in the space of two overs.

Klaasen and George Linde took the hosts home with an unbroken stand of 49.

Pakistan opening batsman Mohammad Rizwan fell into a trap off the first ball of the match and the visitors was 10-2 in the third over and struggled to set a big total despite a run-a-ball 50 from captain Babar Azam and 32 from the 40-year-old Mohammad Hafeez.

Linde took 3-23 with his left-arm spin and seam bowler Lizaad Williams 3-35 in his second international appearance.

The third game of the four-game series will be held on Wednesday.

ARR