The 2nd T20I of the series started well for Ireland as they picked up 2 South African wickets in the first over. Ireland was nothing but all over the Proteas as they took 3 wickets inside the powerplay and the first ball of the 6th over got the dangerous-looking De Cock as well. Van Der Dussen struggled like anything before getting out on 6. Ireland had a firm grip on the match by then as the last genuine batting pair for South Africa, David Miller, and Wiaan Mulder were at the crease.
South Africa started milking singles and it was Mulder who started striking from one end. Miller on the other hand was happy giving the strike to his younger partner. The quick 58 runs stand between them brought South Africa right back into the game. Miller then denied single and started smacking sixes from one end. 140 which looked at par for South Africa, Killer Miller had different ideas. He smashed 4 sixes in the final over and took South Africa’s total to 159. On a damp wicket of Belfast, the total seemed above par and during the chase, it was South Africa that was all over Ireland.
Kevin O Brien got out in the first over and their captain got a life when Fortuin dropped a simple chance. He couldn’t make that count and left soon. George Dockrell, the birthday boy showed some intent and made run a ball 20 before leaving Ireland at a point from which they could never recover.
Shane Getkate showed some late hitting but Shamsi had the better of him. Wickets kept falling and Ireland was finally all out on 117. Ireland lost the match by 42 runs and along with that the series as well. The wicket was slow and two-paced. Miller showed how one can play on this wicket as he took his time and started accelerating in the final 2 overs.
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The wicket helped spinners and South African spinners made the most of it as Shamsi and Fortuin had 3 each and even the part-time spin of Makram fetched him a wicket. The final match would be a formality and South Africa might release some of its main players to try out new players. Amid all the chaos the Zimbabwe tour of Ireland has also been postponed due to new Covid protocols in the country. The tour will be rescheduled and might undergo in September.
