WI vs SA 3rd T20I: Tabraiz Shamsi shines as Proteas edge Windies by a run to go 2-1 up in the series

South Africa’s left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took 2-13 in four overs as the tourists edged West Indies by one run in the third Twenty20 International to take a 2-1 series lead at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada on Tuesday.

HIGHLIGHTS

Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa
South Africa beat West Indies by 1 run to go 2-1 up in the series
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock scored 72 off just 51 ball

South Africa held their nerve and beat the West Indies by a solitary run in the nail-biting third, of the five-match T20 series at the National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. They lead the series 2-1.

Wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers and once again the game changer with his 2/13 in four overs his most economical T20 international figures so far. He ensured that the home team’s over rate was not allowed to run away from them, as they went about the task of defending their total of 167 for 8 after once again being put in to bat first.

Shamsi, the number one ranked bowler in T20 international cricket, slowed the home side’s scoring to a crawl in the middle of the innings and left them chasing the game.

They needed 15 runs off the final over from Kagiso Rabada, but Fabian Allen (14 not out) battled with the pace and swing from the tall seamer and they fell agonisingly short.

Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran were the top scorers for West Indies, both with 27, their chase hampered by the fact that none of the batsmen managed to kick on to a half-century.

In-form Quinton de Kock was the mainstay of the South African innings, scoring 72 from 51 balls. He put on 60 for the fourth wicket with Rassie van der Dussen (32 from 24 balls).

At one stage the tourists looked as though they would score close to 200, but wily seamers Obed McCoy (4-22) and Dwayne Bravo (3-25) slowed the scoring rate with their variations and change of pace as they picked up wickets at regular intervals.

he fourth match in the five-game series will be played at the same venue on Thursday.