A pivotal partnership between skipper Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, followed by a late blitz from Kamran Ghulam, helped Pakistan post a total of 329 runs in their second ODI against South Africa on Thursday.
South African captain, Temba Bavuma, won the toss and opted to bowl first, looking to chase down the target. However, Pakistan’s top order struggled early in the innings, facing a similar fate to the first ODI.
Abdullah Shafique, who failed to score in the opening match, was dismissed for a duck once again.
Saim Ayub, who dazzled with a century in the previous match, looked promising but was dismissed for 25 by debutant Kwena Maphaka. By the end of the powerplay, Pakistan found themselves at 53 for 2.
Babar Azam, joined by Rizwan, steadied the ship with a solid 115-run partnership, both players reaching half-centuries.
Babar looked well on course for his 20th ODI century, but his innings came to an end at 73 when he was caught in a stunning effort by Maphaka.
Rizwan, who had anchored the middle overs, was dismissed shortly after, leaving Pakistan at 192 for 4.
Salman Agha played a valuable role with a quickfire 33 off 30 balls, but it was Kamran Ghulam’s explosive late surge that truly lifted Pakistan's total.
Ghulam, who put on a 50-run partnership with Agha and later teamed up with Irfan Khan, was the star of the final overs. His blistering 62 off just 32 balls, including four fours and five sixes, propelled Pakistan to a challenging total of 329.
Pakistan leads the three-match series 1-0
Earlier, Pakistan fielded an unchanged side for the second ODI, following their three-wicket victory in the first match.
In contrast, South Africa have made four changes to their Playing XI. Captain Temba Bavuma returns to the lineup, while Kwena Maphaka is set to make his ODI debut.
Bjorn Fortuin, who replaced the injured Keshav Maharaj in the squad, has also been included, along with explosive middle-order batter David Miller.
Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Ottneil Baartman, and Kagiso Rabada have been dropped to accommodate the new additions.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Tabraiz Shamsi
Head-to-Head:
The two teams have faced each other in 84 ODI matches, with South Africa winning 52 and Pakistan securing 31 victories. One match ended without a result.
- Matches played: 84
- Pakistan won: 31
- South Africa won: 52
Form Guide:
Pakistan comes into this match with strong momentum, having won back-to-back ODI series against Australia and Zimbabwe. The team is aiming for its third consecutive ODI series win.
South Africa also enters the match with confidence, following a 2-1 series victory over Ireland.
- Pakistan's recent form: W, L, W, W, W
- South Africa's recent form: W, W, W, L, L
Earlier, Pakistan clinched a thrilling three-wicket win on Tuesday in Paarl.
Chasing a 240-run target, Agha Salman and Saim Ayub held their composer with the bat notching a 141-run stand for the fifth wicket to see the visitors cross the winning line.
Ayub was dismissed after a brisk 109 off 119 balls, while Salman remained unbeaten on 82 off 90.
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