DUBAI: Pakistan, ranked second in Twenty20 International cricket, failed to make any big score against South Africa whose bowlers restricted them to a meager 98 for nine here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

After captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and elected to bat first, Pakistan made a disastrous start losing three top order batsmen for only four runs on the board.

However, Umar Akmal later steered Pakistan to avoid an embarrassment of recording their lowest total in a T20 International innings, which was 74 against Australia, made at the same venue in September 2012.

Umar top scored with 49, run out off penultimate ball of the innings. Besides, three other batsmen – Shoaib Malik (12), Shahid Afridi (10) and Abdul Razzaq (10) could reach the double figures.

For South Africa, fast bowler Dale Steyn captured three wickets for 15 while left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe and leg-spinner Imran Tahir claimed two wickets each for nine and 17, respectively.