CAPE TOWN, (DNA) – South African openers, Reeza Hendricks and the debutante Janneman Malan gave South Africa a decent start as they took their side to 44 runs at the end of powerplay play during the second T20I of the series.

Though Pakistan were able to restrict the flow of runs, but South Africa managing to maintain a run-rate around 6 without losing a wicket, made them a happy camp.

Once they got used to the playing conditions, the opening pair started playing their shots. They were hitting boundaries in each over, but Imad Wasim kept the runs dried from his end with his tight line and length.

Malan looked to cut loose against the slow-left arm bowler in the ninth over as he came down the wicket but missed the line, Mohammad Rizwan made no mistake and got his stumped for 33 (31).

As Rassie van der Dussen took the crease, he looked went all guns blazing from the word go, hitting three sixes early in his inning. However, Pakistan managed to turn things in their favour when they ran out Reeza Hendricks courtesy of Shadab Khan’s brilliance in the field.

Despite losing his partner, Van der Dussen did not look to hold back his strokes. He took on Pakistani bowlers, be it the leggie Shadab Khan or pacers Usman Khan Shinwari or Hasan Ali. As he looked to play another big shot off Shaheen Shah, he skied the ball, which was caught safely by Imad Wasim, he scored 45 runs off 27 balls.

Pakistan were looking to pull the things back after getting rid of Van der Dussen when rain the stopped the play after Miller deposited the first delivery of Hasan Ali of the 18th over into the stands for a maximum.