Twitter Reactions: Miller, Shamsi, Fortuin script series win for South Africa in Ireland T20Is

Fortuin and Shamsi picked up three wickets each.

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury

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3 Min Read

Tabraiz Shamsi
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Tabraiz Shamsi. (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa found themselves in all sorts of trouble after electing to bat first in their second T20I against Ireland on Thursday, July 22 at Belfast’s Civil Service Cricket Club. However, the Proteas made a comeback to not only secure a 42-run win but also secure a series triumph with a 2-0 lead.

Miller comes to the party

The visitors got off to the worst possible start as Paul Stirling removed openers Temba Bavuma and Janneman Malan for ducks in his very first over. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen couldn’t get the double digits as well after pacers Mark Adair and Joshua Little got rid of them respectively.

After 10 overs, South Africa were placed at 58/5 with the onus on David Miller and Wiaan Mulder to resurrect the innings. Miller went on to score an unbeaten 44-ball 75 with four fours and five sixes. Mulder lent him support with a 26-ball 36 as the Proteas made their way up to 159 in 20 overs.

Ireland crumble

In the run-chase, Ireland lost Kevin O’Brien and Andy Balbirnie in the single digits. Stirling and George Dockrell got starts, but couldn’t convert. Harry Tector fell cheaply as well. The hosts had a similar start to their opponent as they were reduced to 56/5 with the required rate going above 10.

Shane Getkate top-scored for them with 24, but his efforts weren’t enough as Ireland were bowled out for 117. For the Proteas, the spinners- Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi– picked up three wickets each. Beuran Hendricks picked two wickets while Lungi Ngidi and Markram got one scalp each.

After the match, Ireland skipper Balbirnie lauded his team’s bowlers and fielders but sounded disappointed by their batting. Bavuma, the South African skipper, on the contrary, was relieved with the team performance.

Bavuma praises Miller and Mulder

“Disappointing with the bat again. We bowled well again and fielded well. But yeah, we didn’t apply ourselves with the bat at all. The spinners bowled well for us. Clearly, it’s a batting issue for us and we have to address that. It gives us another chance to redeem ourselves,” Balbirnie said.

“Looking at the way we started, I think a lot of people would have written us off. But he showed good fight and got ourselves to a respectable total. We have a lot of belief in our bowlers and we knew that the pitch was having something in it.

“At the halfway mark, we knew that if our bowlers hit their straps, we would do good. He (Miller) was really good. He and Mulder really solidified the middle order for us,” Bavuma said.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to South Africa’s win:

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