JOHANNESBURG: South Africa on Sunday levelled the series with a 17-run win in the second one-day international against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
African team held out to level the ODI series 1-1 with a 17-run win over Pakistan that was much earlier than it should have been as of Fakhar Zaman’s dazzling 193 in a losing attempt. Zaman’s score came from 155 balls and he hit 18 fours and 10 sixes to give South Africa a big scare in the match.
Fantastic Fakhar: The record-holder of Pakistan's highest ODI individual score (210)* is also the record-holder of the highest individual score in an ODI chase (193).#SAvPAK | #HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/33oNjkMG8X
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 4, 2021
Pakistan was 205-7 at one stage before Fakhar really got going, however, eventually finished on 324-9, chasing 342 to triumph at the travelers in Johannesburg.
Fakhar was running back to the striker’s end for two when he slowed down, thinking the throw from fielder Aiden Markram was going to the other end. It wasn’t and a direct hit found Fakhar short.
South Africa’s success was down to a thorough batting display, with 80 from opener Quinton de Kock, 92 from new captain Temba Bavuma and half-centuries from Rassie van der Dussen (60) and David Miller (50 not out).
Van der Dussen’s 60 came from just 37 balls and Miller’s 50 from 27 deliveries to give South Africa late impetus to post its big total of 341-6.
South Africa’s bowlers then quickly worked through Pakistan’s top order in the chase, with the exception of Fakhar.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje took 3-63 and the highest score for Pakistan other than Fakhar’s 193 was 31 from captain Babar Azam.
On Friday, South Africa’s victory comes on the back of Pakistan’s last-ball win in the first ODI at SuperSport Park in Centurion
Batting first, South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen hit 123 not out, his maiden international century.
But South Africa’s total of 273 for six did not seem enough as Babar and Imam-ul-Haq (70) put on 177 for Pakistan’s second wicket, taking them to within 88 runs of victory with 18.2 overs left before Babar was caught behind off Nortje.
Playing his 76th ODI on Friday, Babar Azam continued his impressive performance in ODI cricket and smashed 103 runs to guide his team to a three-wicket win in the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa.
