George Linde on spectacular Proteas return: 'One of the best T20 games I've played'

The Western Province all-rounder first smashed 48 from 24 balls with the bat then returned figures of 4-21 as the hosts claimed a 11-run win to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

It was Linde's first international game in three years after being left out in the cold and the 33-year-old all-rounder certainly made a statement against Pakistan.

"It's up there with one of the best T20 games I've played," Linde said after the game. "I felt I don't have to prove anything to anyone.

"I believe in myself and in my skills, and if it doesn't happen on the day, it wasn't meant to be. But I know how hard I worked for this opportunity."

Linde though would have not been popular with his teammates before the game, revealing that the bus was forced to stop and wait for him on it's way from the hotel to the stadium.

He described the events: "For some reason my phone was 15 minutes behind, so I thought to myself at 4 o'clock (the match started at 6pm SA time) I'm going to walk down and get onto the bus nice and early.

"And then as I got out (of the hotel) there was the bus leaving, and that feeling was not great.

"Luckily there were police escorts and they took me to the bus, and it was quite embarrassing but I reckon for the next game I might be late again."

Linde will look to continue to his good form in the series with the second game to be played at the Wanderers on Friday and the the final match in Centurion Saturday.

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