South Africa bounce back in second T20 against Pakistan

Seamer Dwaine Pretorius picks up five in comfortable win in Lahore

South Africa's Pite van Biljon, right, and teammate Reeza Hendricks run between the wickets during the second T20 against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, February 13, 2021. AFP

South Africa's Reeza Hendricks scored 42 as the visitors defeated Pakistan in the second T20 in Lahore. AFP

South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Muhammad Nawaz. AFP

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam takes a catch of South Africa's Jon-Jon Smuts. AFP

South Africa's Janneman Malan is bowled by Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi. AFP

Pakistan's Muhammad Nawaz is bowled out by South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius . AFP

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan scored a fifty against South Africa. AFP

South Africa's David Miller takes a catch of Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed. AFP

Fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius recorded the best bowling figures for a South African bowler as the Proteas defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the second T20 in Lahore on Saturday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.

Pite van Biljon and Reeza Hendricks both scored 42 as South Africa chased down a modest 145-run target in just 16.2 overs.

The win was made possible by Pretorius who kept Pakistan down to 144-7.

The 31-year-old took 5-17 in his four lethal overs as Pakistan rode on a 41-ball 51 by wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan on a slow Gaddafi Stadium pitch.

Faheem Ashraf hit a fiery 12-ball 30 not out.

"I'm just happy that I could contribute to the team tonight. We had good plans that we executed quite well. I was just trying to mix up my line and length to make sure guys couldn't line me up," Pretorius said after the game.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said that his bowlers tried their best but they did not have enough runs on the board.

"I think we fell short with the bat. We couldn't score enough runs in the middle overs and couldn't get the partnerships going," Azam said.

"It was a similar wicket as the first T20 but we made some mistakes with the ball. Hopefully, it will be different result tomorrow. We have back-to-back games, so we will plan about it in the morning."

Pakistan won the first match by three runs on Thursday. The third and final match is on Sunday, also in Lahore.