Tahir finished with career-best figures of 5-24 off 3.5 overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Imran Tahir’s superb five-wicket haul and Hashim Amla’s magnificent innings of 62 led to South Africa flattening New Zealand by 78 runs in the one-off Twenty20 International in Auckland on Friday.
Choosing to bowl first, New Zealand got rid of South Africa opener Quinton de Kock early on, but the Proteas recovered in the form of an 87-run partnership between Amla and captain Faf du Plessis.
Du Plessis ended up making 36 before he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Colin de Grandhomme, while Amla scored 62 off 43 deliveries, which included nine boundaries and a six.
Amla scored his sixth fifty in Twenty20 Internationals
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Following Amla’s dismissal, South Africa began to collapse, but a quickfire 29 from JP Duminy saw them finish on 185/6 off their 20 overs.
De Grandhomme and Trent Boult picked up two wickets apiece, while Ben Wheeler chipped in with one.
Chasing 186 to win, Chris Morris removed debutant Glenn Phillips and Colin Munro early on before Andile Phehlukwayo dismissed captain Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson.
With the hosts struggling at 55/4, Tahir came in and sliced through the middle and lower order to give them no chance of clawing their way back into contention.
In the end, the Black Caps were put out of their misery for 107 when Tim Southee was clean bowled by Tahir.
Tahir was easily the most successful bowler with five wickets, while Phehlukwayo took three and Morris claimed two.
Williamson was disappointed with his team’s performance, and said: “They played well in all departments. Frustrating from our perspective, we didn’t fire a shot. On this ground, you don’t know what a good score is. Rotating strike is hard on drop-in surfaces. Lacked in partnerships.”
Du Plessis was delighted to have started the tour on a high, and said: “Anything can happen in a one-off T20. I thought we played really well. It’s nice coming back here. The last 6-7 months has been outstanding for us as a team.”
Tahir was named Man of the Match, and said: “It’s a very special feeling, every wicket I take for South Africa, I like to celebrate. Stay with my plans, it’s a small ground, less margin for spinners.”