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After losing an ODI series to Afghanistan recently, South Africa have succumbed to their first-ever T20I defeat against Ireland. The Irish side beat the Proteas in the second T20I in Abu Dhabi by 10 runs, levelling the two-game series.
Ireland had suffered an emphatic eight-wicket defeat against South Africa in the opening T20I despite scoring a competitive 171. Having won the toss in the second match, Proteas captain Aiden Markram asked Ireland to bat first. Ross Adair, who managed only 18 in the previous game, stormed to his maiden T20I hundred. Along with Paul Stirling, the right-hander had set a solid foundation with a 137-run opening partnership.
Adair received a couple of lifelines during his knock, including a chance that was taken, but right-arm pacer Lizaad Williams had overstepped. He reached the three-figure in 56 deliveries as George Dockrell stayed unbeaten on 20 off 13 balls to lift Ireland to 195/6 in 20 overs.
South Africa's opening pair gets off to another quick start but middle-order collapses:
The partnership of 136 between Ryan Rickleton and Reeza Hendricks was the bedrock of the T20 World Cup runners-ups' victory in the opening T20I. The pair got South Africa to another strong start on Sunday, putting on 50 runs in 5.3 overs before Rickleton departed. Hendricks added another 71 runs with Matthew Bretzkee as both batters made 51 runs each.
However, none of the batters to follow reached double figures, including proven hitters like Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder. Ross' brother Mark Adair finished as the pick of the Ireland bowlers with figures of 4-0-31-4, while Graham Hume also had an outstanding haul of 4-0-25-3. The latter defended 18 off the final over, leaving South Africa 10 runs short.
The two sides will now square off in a three-game ODI series, beginning on October 2 in Abu Dhabi. Paul Stirling and his men will have some momentum going into the 50-over games after winning the second T20I.
