Proteas the only ones to keep World XI afloat against Pakistan

Pakistan’s first taste of proper international cricket was a tasty one as the home side beat a World XI by 20 runs in the first of three T20s in Lahore on Tuesday evening.

After all, this series is nothing more really than making international teams realise it’s reasonably safe to travel to the troubled country and to get local fans excited about the prospect again.

To be honest, it was only really the Proteas players that kept the World XI in the game.

Chasing a daunting 199 to win, captain Faf du Plessis top scored with 29 off 18 deliveries, an effort that included four fours and a six.

Hashim Amla, opening the batting, also looked confident in making 26 off 17 before he was foiled by Rumman Raees slower ball.

In fact, the World XI’s eventual total was merely a collection of batsmen making exciting 20s before getting out.

When combined teams like this one are brought together in a very short space of time, it’s quite predictable that they won’t gel all that well.

The World XI’s whole performance attested to that.

Earlier, Pakistan enjoyed themselves on a nice batting pitch.

The gifted Babar Azam, who grew up in Lahore, was the mainstay of the hosts’ fine batting effort of 197/5.

He stroked 1o fours and two sixes in a brilliant 86 off just 52 balls.

Shoaib Malik (38) and Ahmed Shehzad (39) supported him well.

Morne Morkel recovered from a first over that cost 12 runs to finish with respectable figures of 1/32 from his four overs.

Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir also bowled well to finish with 1/34.

He only conceded 2 boundaries and took the big wicket of Azam.