South Africa defeated West Indies by 16 runs in the second T20I to level the five-match series by 1-1. Left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and the orthodox George Linde frustrated the home side in the middle of the innings.

HIGHLIGHTS

• West Indies had cruised to an eight-wicket victory in the first match
• South Africa spinners Shamsi and Linde Stifled West Indies chase
• Third match in the series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday

The spin duo of South Africa, Tabraiz Shamsi (1/16) and George Linde (2/19) stifled West Indies’ chase as the visitors claimed a 16-run victory in the second Twenty20 international on Sunday to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Only 24 hours after losing the opening match by eight wickets, an unchanged South Africa lineup produced an improved but still imperfect bowling and fielding performance to restrict the West Indies to 150-9 in reply to its 166-7.

Left-arm wrist spinner Shamsi and the tall orthodox Linde frustrated the home side in the middle of the innings and took the momentum out of their chase.

West Indies had cruised to an eight-wicket victory in the first match with 30 balls to spare on Saturday, but the tourists were vastly improved with their skills with the ball, as well as in the field.

The match stayed alive until the final over, thanks to a superb rearguard innings from Fabian Allen whose 34 runs from 12 balls included five sixes.

The West Indies came to the final over bowled by Lungi Ngidi needing 36 runs to win — six sixes. Allen raised their hopes with maximums off the first two balls. After a dot ball, a wide kept their faint chances alive. A third six from Allen created the possibility of an extraordinary finish but he was trapped lbw next ball and South Africa held on.

South Africa also made a fast start to their innings as opener Reeza Hendricks (42 from 30 balls) and captain Temba Bavuma (46 from 33 balls) took the attack to the bowlers, but once they were out the innings stuttered.

They scored 81 runs from the first eight overs and just another 85 from the next 12 as the West Indies bowlers slowed the scoring rate with a mix of slower balls and yorkers.

Seamer Obed McCoy (3/25) and off-break bowler Kevin Sinclair (2/23) were the pick of the home attack.

Evin Lewis, whose match-winning 71 steered the West Indies to victory in the first match, started his innings Sunday in the same way he did a day earlier, with a six in the first over.

After that promising beginning, he fell for 21 and the West Indies innings lacked the anchor Lewis provided in game one. Andre Fletcher made 35 from 36 balls and the West Indies looked in a reasonable position at 62-2 in the ninth over.

But the home side collapsed to 70-5 and the chase suddenly became formidable, the required run rate climbing at one point to 13.

Brief Scores

South Africa: 166 for 7 in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 42, Temba Bavuma 46; Obed McCoy 3/25, Kevin Sinclair 2/23)

West Indies: 150 for 9 in 20 overs (Fabien Allen 34, Andre Fletcher 35; Kagiso Rabada 3/37, Georger Linder 2/19, Tabraiz Shasmi 1/16)