CAPE TOWN: Pakistan posted an imposing total of 329 runs in the second ODI of the three-match series against South Africa at Cape Town on Thursday. Led by a brilliant half-century from captain Mohammad Rizwan, the visitors aim to seal the series with a victory.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, South Africa’s bowlers struggled to contain Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Rizwan top-scored with a steady 80 runs off 82 balls, while Babar Azam contributed a stylish 73 off 95 deliveries. Together, they built a crucial 113-run partnership, anchoring Pakistan’s innings in the middle overs.
The highlight of the match came from all-rounder Kamran Ghulam, who played a scintillating knock of 63 runs off just 32 balls.
His late flourish propelled Pakistan past the 300-run mark, taking full advantage of South Africa’s sloppy fielding, which included five dropped catches, three of which occurred in the last six overs.
Pakistan’s innings began on a shaky note, with Abdullah Shafique dismissed for a duck on the fourth ball of the match by debutant Kwena Maphaka.
Saim Ayub steadied the ship with 25 runs before Maphaka struck again, removing him. Rizwan and Babar then consolidated the innings, setting the stage for a final assault in the last 10 overs.
South Africa’s bowlers showed glimpses of promise, with Kwena Maphaka impressing on debut by claiming 4 wickets for 72 runs in his 10-over spell.
Marco Jansen also chipped in with three wickets, but the lack of support from other bowlers and a string of fielding errors hurt the Proteas.
Despite losing Rizwan and Babar in quick succession, Salman Agha and Kamran Ghulam added vital runs in the death overs, leaving South Africa with a challenging target.
Pakistan leads the series 1-0 after a three-wicket win in the first ODI. A victory in Cape Town will secure the series for the visitors, while South Africa will look to level the score and set up a thrilling decider in Johannesburg.
Pakistan Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa Playing XI
Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Tabraiz Shamsi.
