South Africa versus Pakistan 2nd ODI: South Africa level the series despite Zaman’s brilliance
Despite Fakhar Zaman’s heroic efforts, South Africa defeated
Pakistan in the 2nd One-day international played at Wanders,
Johannesburg on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to
field first. Aiden Markram looked in fluent touch right from the word go
putting pressure on Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasnain. On the other hand, Quinton
de Kock struggled to time the ball. Faheem Ashraf bought into the attack
produced the breakthrough dismissing Markrarm providing an easy catch to Asif
Ali. At the end of the first 10 overs, South Africa scored 56 for 1.
After the field restrictions, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf
bowled some tight overs. Quinton de Kock was given out by the umpire as the ball
went into slips' hands but on review, it was overturned as it hit pad. De Kock
then took the charge putting pressure back with attacking strokes and keeping
the scoreboard ticking. Bavuma struggled initially and was not able to rotate
the strike well. De Kock kept the pressure on reaching his fifty-off 60 balls.
De Kock and Bavuma kept the scoreboard ticking hitting boundaries and taking singles.
Haris Rauf bought into the attack dismissed the dangerous de Kock who tried to
hit a big shot took the inside edge and castled stumps. De Kock and Bavuma
added 114 runs for the 2nd wicket. Mohammad Rizwan missed a catch
chance to dismiss Van der Dussen.
Bavuma looked impressive with his strokes and completed his
maiden ODI fifty off 68 balls. After the second drinks break, Van Dussen upped
the ante with attacking stroke play against Hasnain and other Pakistani bowlers.
Dussen completed his fifty off just 34 balls to keep the momentum going for
South Africa. It was an amazing end to the innings trying to hit another big
shot provided a simple catch to Ashraf at long-off. Dussen and Bavuma added 101
runs for the 3rd wicket.
David Miller came to the crease and took few balls to settle
before launching an attack on Pakistani bowlers. Bavuma showed intent after a
slow start and then played brilliant strokes. Bavuma and Miller added 36 runs
for the 4th wicket. The Pakistani bowlers especially Rauf showed his
composure and picked wickets. Miller smacked 19 runs off Shaheen Shah Afridi in
the last over and completed his fifty off just 27 balls to help South Africa
post a massive total of 341 for 6.
Chasing 342 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for the
visitors as Imam was brilliantly caught by Aiden Markram at slips. Rabada troubled
Pakistani batsmen with pace and almost got Fakhar Zaman out as South Africa
decided to review for LBW. The decision was overturned it hit the inside edge. Babar
Azam was given a reprieve by Miller. At the end of the first 10 overs, Pakistan
raced away to 68 for 1.
After the field restrictions, Nortje provided the big wicket
of Pakistani captain Babar Azam. Babar and Fakhar added 63 runs for the 2nd
wicket. Nortje then rattled the visitors with wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and
debutant Danish Aziz.
Shahbad Khan was given out by the umpire and the decision was
retained to leave Pakistan in big trouble at 120 for 5. Fakhar Zaman played
with responsibility reaching his fifty off 70 balls. Khan and Zaman added 35
runs for the 5th wicket. Asif Ali could not contribute big runs
along with Faheem Ashraf, but Zaman showed his composure reaching his century
off 107 balls.
After the soft dismissal of Faheem Ashraf, things looked
bleak for Pakistan. Fakhar Zaman upped the ante with aggressive hitting taking
the attack to South African bowlers. The explosive-left-handed batsman took
most of the strike and hit 3 sixes off Shamsi over to keep Pakistan in the hunt.
Zaman reached his 150 off 128 balls and showed his range of
strokes. On the other hand, Shaheen Shah Afridi gave good support before giving
a simple return catch to Rabada. Afridi and Zaman added 68 runs for the 8th
wicket.
Zaman continued to fight with big strokes making life tough
for the South African bowlers. He was eventually run-out in the final over with
a superb direct hit by Markram. Hasnain hit 3 boundaries but it was an uphill
task. South Africa won the match by just 17 runs to level the series at 1-1.
South Africa 341 for 6 in 50 overs ( Bavuma 92, de Kock 80, Dussen
60, Miller 50*, Rauf 3/54) beat Pakistan 324 for 9 in 50 overs ( Zaman 192,
Azam 31, Nortje 3/63, Rabada 1/43) by 17 runs.
For his brilliant 193, Fakhar Zaman was awarded the man of
the match. With this, the series is leveled at 1-1. The third and deciding ODI
will be played on 7th April.
Fakhar Zaman's brilliance could not help Pakistan beat South Africa
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