Pakistani bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah delivered a stellar performance, Pakistan win second ODI dismantling South Africa’s batting lineup as the hosts were restricted to 248 runs in 43.1 overs while chasing an imposing target during the second ODI at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, on Thursday.
This victory secured as Pakistan won second ODI with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, with the final ODI set for Sunday in Johannesburg.
Chasing a daunting 330-run target, the Proteas faltered despite a valiant 97-run knock by Heinrich Klaasen. The wicketkeeper-batter fought a lone battle for the home side, smashing eight fours and four sixes in his 74-ball innings. Opener Tony de Zorzi contributed 34 runs, the only other notable score in the lineup.
Shaheen was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming 4/47, while Naseem Shah impressed with figures of 3/37 in 8.3 overs. Abrar Ahmed supported with two wickets.
Earlier, Pakistan set an imposing 330-run target, thanks to Kamran Ghulam’s explosive finish. After being put into bat, the green shirts endured an early setback as opener Abdullah Shafique fell for a duck in the first over with just five runs on the board.
Recovering from the shaky start, star batter Babar Azam partnered with last-match centurion Saim Ayub (25) for a 48-run stand. Following Ayub’s dismissal in the 10th over, Babar joined forces with skipper Mohammad Rizwan to construct a game-changing 115-run partnership for the third wicket. Both players registered half-centuries before Babar fell for 73 off 95 balls, including seven boundaries.
Rizwan top-scored with an 82-ball 80, laced with 10 boundaries and three sixes. He shared a 24-run stand with Salman Ali Agha before being dismissed in the 36th over.
Kamran Ghulam then took charge, unleashing a fiery 32-ball 63, which included four fours and five sixes. His partnerships with Salman (33), Muhammad Irfan Khan (15), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (16) propelled Pakistan to a formidable total before he was dismissed on the first ball of the final over.
For South Africa, Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets, while Marco Jansen claimed three. Bjorn Fortuin and Andile Phehlukwayo contributed with one wicket each.
PLAYING XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, 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
