It was adding insult to injury for South Africa as the team was fined for slow over-rate after losing the first T20I against Pakistan. In a high-scoring contest, Pakistan won the game in the final over of the innings with Mohammed Rizwan scoring an unbeaten 74. He was helped by the Pakistan middle-order before Faheem Ashraf played a cameo to take his team home.
Mohammad Rizwan made an unbeaten 74* in 50 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes, while Fakhar Zaman made 27 in 19 balls. However, the match-winning knock came from Faheem Ashraf who made 30 in just 14 balls, taking Pakistan to the cusp of victory, which was achieved with one ball to go and 4 wickets in hand.
Earlier in the game, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. They scored 188/6 on the back of Aiden Markram’s 51 and Heinrich Klassen’s 50. Pite van Biljon scored 34 runs batting at number five as Proteans scored a competitive score.
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Meanwhile, Match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanction after South Africa was found to be one over short of the required target after time allowances were taken into consideration, as per an ICC media release.
South Africa Stamped Fined For Slow Over Rate
As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offenses, players are fined 20% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
Proteas skipper Heinrich Klaasen pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, hence no formal hearing happened. On-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Allahudien Palekar, third umpire Bangani Jele and fourth umpire Shaun George had levelled the charge.
The second T20I between the two sides will be played on April 12 at the same ground in Johannesburg, while the last two T20Is will be played in Centurion on April 14 and 16 respectively.
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