Raja's comment came during the 17th over of the second innings, when Shaheen was bowling. The second delivery of the over was pitched full, and batter Rassie van der Dussen drilled the ball straight back at the bowler.

Shaheen took evasive action, not quite getting out of the way as the ball narrowly missed his face but caught him between the shoulder and the chin.

There was no lasting damage, as the Pakistan team physio attended to him and Shaheen completed the rest of the over, his last in the match.

After the ball hit Shaheen, former Pakistan international Raja, on commentary duty said: "Just missed his face, not sure if it's a good thing or not," leaving viewers baffled as to why there was any doubt that the ball not hitting Shaheen in the face was good.

Ramiz Raja said - He didnt get hit on his face. Not zure if its a good thing or not.

What kind of statement is that?

— Ankit Uttam (@ankituttam) December 13, 2024

Ramiz you don't know if it's a good thing it missed his face ?? WTF are you going on about man !! Shaheen Afridi very lucky man right there ...

— Tony Steele (@tds122) December 13, 2024

Earlier in the match, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan had elected to bat first, and his side put up 206-5, on the back of opener Saim Ayub's unbeaten 98 and some lusty blows at the end from Irfan Khan (30 off 16). Babar Azam also chipped in with a 20-ball 31.

But South Africa chased down the total with three balls to spare as Reeza Hendricks (117) scored his first T20I century, and Rassie van der Dussen scored an unbeaten 66. The brunt of the damage was borne by fast bowler Haris Rauf, who conceded 57 runs in his four overs.

South Africa are now 2-0 up in the three-match series, with the last game set to take place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday (December 14).

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