David Miller and George Linde star as Proteas beat Pakistan in first T20I

Miller was in superb form with the willow as he struck 82 from just 40 balls as the Proteas posted a total of 183-9 before restricting Pakistan to 172-8.

Batting at number four, Miller walked to crease in the second over with the home side in trouble at 10-2 after the early wickets of Rassie van der Dussen (0) and Matthew Breetzke (8).

The scoreboard did not deter the left-handed batter though as he smashed four fours and eight sixes while wickets continued to fall around him as the Proteas slipped to 104-5.

Linde, playing in his first international in three years, provided a late flourish with 48 from 24 balls as the hosts went past the 180-run mark.

The Proteas got off to good start with the ball as 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka had Babar Azam caught at third-man for a duck.

Linde then showed his value with the ball and picked up four wickets for just 21 runs in his four overs to break the back the Pakistan run-chase.

Visiting captain Mohammad Rizwan, who opened the innings, initially laboured as wickets fell around him, and brought up a run-a-ball half-century.

Rizwan then opened up after reaching the milestone as the required rate escalated but Maphaka returned to dismiss the right-handed batter in the final over and seal the match.

The second T20I will take place at the Wanderers on Friday with the series concluding on Saturday at Centurion.

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