Shamsi spins South Africa to victory against Ireland in 1st T20
Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took four wickets as South Africa comfortably beat Ireland by 33 runs in the first game of a three-match Twenty20 series in Dublin on Monday.
Aiden Markram top-scored for the visitors with 39 and David Miller chipped in with 28 as South Africa reached 165-7 in their 20 overs.
Seven of the top eight batsmen reached double figures after the tourists were asked to bat although nobody went on to make a big score.
Ireland slumped to 46-5 in reply, with Harry Tector (36) offering resistance but wickets tumbled regularly and the hosts could only muster 132-9.
Shamsi, the top-ranked bowler in T20 cricket, ended up with figures of 4-27 off his four overs.
The teams meet in Belfast on Thursday and again on Saturday.
The recent one-day international series between the sides finished 1-1.
Brief scores
South Africa 165-7, 20 overs (A Markram 39, D Miller 28, R van der Dussen 25; M Adair 3-39)
Ireland 132-9, 20 overs (H Tector 36, A Balbirnie 22; T Shamsi 4-27)
