Proteas' batting frailties exposed again

THE Proteas' top order batters again folded like a pack of cards as they lost the decider in the three-match T20 International series against Pakistan in Lahore yesterday by four wickets after posting 139/9 as the hosts capped a remarkable comeback after losing the first match.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

Pakistan won the toss for the third time in a row and again sent the South African side in to bat at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The decision was vindicated almost immediately when Proteas opener Quinton de Kock played on to a Shaheen Afridi off-cutter off the second ball as he continues to struggle for momentum after his recent comeback.

Series debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius then fell off the next ball, caught down the leg side with SA yet to get off the mark.

Dewalt Brevis then survived an lbw decision thanks to DRS, with fears of a repeat of Friday night's calamitous batting collapse fresh in the minds of Proteas fans.

Fellow opener Reeza Hendricks scored the first boundary for SA with a glorious drive down the ground in the third over (11/2) but the Proteas batters were struggling to find their timing and rhythm as they limped to 22/2 at the end of the PowerPlay.

Brevis then hit spinner Mohammad Nawaz for two sixes in his first over to break the shackles in the seventh over.