Watch: Lungi Ngidi defends 7 runs in thrilling last over win in South Africa vs England 1st T20I. The Proteas now lead the 3-match series.
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South Africa and England opened their 3-match T20I series with a thriller that went down to the last ball of the match. Tasked with defending 7 runs in the last over, Seamer Lungi Ngidi guided the Proteas to an unlikely 1-run victory.
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England had just scored 16 off the 19th over. 7 was less than half of that. With 2 runs coming off the first ball of the last over, the visitors now only needed 5 off 5. However, Ngidi managed to get Tom Curran hole one out to Miller in the deep.
In the next 3 balls, Ngidi managed to bowl a dot, give away a couple more runs and pick up yet another wicket. England now needed 3 off the last bowl with the pressure on both sides. The batsman, Adil Rashid sent the ball to the leg side but failed to pierce the field.
In a bid to find the non-existent 2nd run, Adil lost his wicket, bringing the match to an exciting finish and starting the series with a thriller that neither side can complain about.
Watch: Lungi Ngidi defends 7 runs in thrilling last over win in South Africa vs England 1st T20I
Earlier in the match, South Africa flew to a quick start courtesy of Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma. While no batsman shined more than the other, everyone made important contributions to post a healthy 177/8 in their 20 overs.
In response, England started strong with Jason Roy roaring to 70 off 38 balls. Eoin Morgan took over from him and at 152-4 in 17.3 overs, the visitors were in pole position to win the match. However, with 26 required off 15 balls and Morgan and Ben Stokes at the crease England went on to lose 5 more wickets for their next 24 runs.
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