South Africa kept faith with the same team and pulled off a come-back win against the West Indies in the second of five T20 Internationals in Grenada. The South Africans won by 16 runs, as West Indies finished on 150-9 when 20 overs expired.
Chasing 167 runs to win, West Indies lost two wickets in the power play. Evin Lewis looked dangerous but was removed for a 16-ball 21 while Chris Gayle made only eight. The chase never got going as South Africa bowlers kept things tight despite Andre Fletcher’s resistance of 35 from 36 balls.
In the death overs, the talented Fabian Allen muscled the ball but it was too late for a West Indies win. He finished on 34 from 12 balls which included five sixes, three of which came off the final over, bowled by Lungi Ngidi. Kagison Rabada ended with 3-37 while George Linde had 2-19 for South Africa.
Vice-captain Nicholas Pooran (09), Kieron Pollard (01), and Andre Russell (05) all fell cheaply. Jason Holder scored a run-a-ball 20 but that was not enough for the West Indies, who scored 66 runs and lost four wickets in the first 10 overs.
Earlier, West Indies won the toss and opted the field again, with both teams playing unchanged. South Africa had a blazing start, as the openers added 73 runs in 6.5 overs. Quinton de Kock (26) was removed by Guyana’s Kevin Sinclair. The attractive Reza Hendricks (42) was then trapped in front by Sinclair at 96-2.
After the fast start, West Indies slowed down South Africa’s scoring rate despite captain Temba Bavuma’s top-score of 46 from 33 balls which was decorated with five fours and one six. The West Indians pegged back the South Africans who scored only 71 runs in the last 10 overs and loosing five wickets.
The impressive Obed McCoy was the best bowler, picking up 3-25 in four overs while Sinclair had 2-23 in his four overs. Jason Holder and Andre Russell had one wicket each in a good comeback bowling performance where South Africa ended on 166-7 in 20 overs.
South Africa have leveled the series and the third T20I between these two teams will be played at the same venue from 14:00h on Tuesday June 29.
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