Miller celebrates the win with his teammates.
Stand-in captain David Miller led South Africa to victory against Pakistan in the 2nd T20I yesterday, while Faf du Plessis was rested and did his job in style, smashing 65 off 29 balls with five sixes and four fours to top score for his team.
Miller took 29 runs off Usman Shinwari in the last over of the South African innings, an onslaught that included three sixes and two fours and gave the South African total a completely different complexion.
The Proteas held firm after an earlier assault on their total by Babar Azam, who hammered 90 off 58 balls. Babar fell at the start of the 17th over, caught in the outfield off a delivery from Beuran Hendricks, to throw Pakistan off course in what was probably the game's pivotal moment. Babar's exit started a run of six wickets for 34 runs.
‘I thought I was the worst captain on the planet, to be honest, but they were always going to go hard in the powerplay,’ said a relieved Miller after the victory.
Miller was responsible for Shinwari returning the most expensive T20 figures ever for Pakistan with his 0-63 off four overs — a rate of 15.75 runs conceded per over. Hasan Ali had the seventh most expensive ever for Pakistan with 0-48 off four.
Miller's unbeaten 62-run partnership with Heinrich Klaasen came off 24 balls and Klaasen contributed only five runs.
‘We didn’t start too well, but credit to our bowlers for really bringing it back. Shamsi came on and did incredibly well to bring their run rate down, and then Sipamla in his first game was absolutely incredible. I was really pleased with the two of them,’ said an elated Miller.
(With AP inputs)
