“After the first game, we spoke in-depth about how we could improve. Everything we spoke about, we put into action today,” said Proteas skipper, Temba Bavuma, after the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan at the Wanderers, which South Africa won by 17 runs. 

Pleased with the improved batting performance, Bavuma said, “Batting effort was much better.” While conditions were challenging for strokeplay, Bavuma explained, “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We just got more accustomed to the wicket.”

Setting a foundation was important today, particularly given the presence of Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller, who Bavuma believed could take the attack to the opposition. Having rectified some of the mistakes made in the first game, Bavuma wants the team to deliver performances like these consistently. 

After being 205/7, Fakhar Zaman singlehandedly took Pakistan close to victory, finishing with 193 off 155 balls. Bavuma described his innings as “one of the best I’ve ever seen.” In finishes as tense as this, Bavuma said, “I try to be as calm as I can be. With a guy batting like that, things can get away.” From the perspective of a fielding team, Bavuma said it was important that the team was clear in its plans. 

On the other hand, Fakhar Zaman attributed the loss of the second ODI to Pakistani batsmen not being able to get through the initial challenges of batting on this wicket. If batsmen had played around 25 balls, they may have been able to get over the line. 

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