Moeen Ali picked up two crucial wickets but ended on the losing side as England were edged out by South Africa in the opening T20I in Cape Town this evening.
The Worcestershire all-rounder dismissed Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw with successive deliveries as England tried gamely to defend a 135 target.
Moeen finished with 2-22 from three overs after bowling the 14th, 16th and 18th overs.
But the Proteas scored 15 off the 20th and final over from Reece Topley to triumph by three wickets.
Moeen dismissed Du Plessis for 25 with the last ball of his second over as he holed out to long on.
Then with the first ball of his third over the 28-year-old accounted for Rossouw who went for a sweep shot and top edged to short fine leg.
Chris Jordan bowled an excellent 19th over, picking up two wickets and conceding only six runs to finish with 3-23.
But South Africa got over the finishing line thanks to Chris Morris's unbeaten 17 off seven balls to leave England now looking to level the series on Sunday before heading home the following day.
Moeen had been dismissed for a first ball duck batting at number seven as England were restricted to 134-8 after being put into bat.
Worcestershire 2016 overseas player, Kyle Abbott, finished with 2-31 from four overs after dismissing Jordan and Adil Rashid.
