Rizwan's 74 sets up Pakistan win

Johannesburg: Mohammad Rizwan continued his excellent form against the Proteas by recording yet another half-century as Pakistan scripted their highest-ever T20I run-chase to take a 1-0 lead in their four-match series with a four-wicket win in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The right-hander crafted an unbeaten 74 off 50 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) to help the tourists chase down a testing 189-run target with one delivery to spare.

Stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram had earlier struck half-centuries in a strong batting display by South Africathe former striking an aggressive 50 off 28 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) and the latter a slightly slower 51 off 32 balls (8 fours, 1 six).

Beuran Hendricks then grabbed three for 32 and Tabraiz Shamsi two for 29 to put the home side on the front foot during the chase, but destructive late hitting by Faheem Ashraf (30 off 14 balls) coupled with some sloppy fielding helped the visitors get over the line.

They now have the advantage in the series ahead of the second match on Monday. The Asian side, who also won the ODIs 2-1, again played smart cricket to get over the line, with Rizwan at the forefront.

He now has a century, two halfcenturies, and a 42 from his last four innings against the Proteas.

Brief scores: South Africa 188/6 (Aiden Markram 51, Heinrich Klaasen 50; Mohammad Nawaz 2-21); Pakistan 189/6 (Mohammad Rizwan 74*, Faheem Ashraf 30; Beuran Hendricks 3-32) .-ANI