Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks led South Africa to an eight-wicket win over Ireland in a Twenty20 match. Rickelton scored a career-best 75, and Hendricks added his 16th T20 fifty. Ireland initially looked strong but collapsed in the final over,

Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks blasted South Africa to an eight-wicket win over Ireland in a Twenty20 here. Rickelton's career-best 75 and Hendricks' 16th fifty powered South Africa to 178-2 in the 18th over in reply to Ireland's 171-8 on Friday.

Ireland looked like they would surpass 180 but lost three wickets in the last over as medium-pacer Patrick Kruger finished with a career-best 4-27 in his fifth T20.

Here's the pre-match analysis of the Ireland vs South Africa 2nd T20I, including playing XI, recent form, head-to-head records, strategy, predictions, and pitch conditions.

And Rickelton was dismissed by Mark Adair in the next over, but he had done enough to pave the way for his team, hitting 76 off 48 deliveries in an innings which featured six sixes. Playing his seventh T20 International, Rickelton racked up his first half-century.

LIVE scoring and ball-by-ball commentary of the opening T20I between Ireland and South Africa at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks blasted South Africa to an eight-wicket win over Ireland in a Twenty20 here.

Campher 49, Rock 37; Kruger 4-27 South Africa 174-2 (17.4 overs): Rickelton 76, Hendricks 51 Scorecard Ireland lost by eight wickets to South Africa in the first of two T20Is between the sides at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Ireland are well beaten by South Africa in the first of two T20 internationals between the sides in Abu Dhabi.

South Africa registered a comfortable 8-wicket victory over Ireland in the first T20I in Abu Dhabi to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. South Africa's openers Ryan Rickelton (76) and Reeza Hendricks (51) put on a 136-run stand in 13 overs.