The Proteas managed to contain Pakistan with a 17-run win to level the series 1-1 despite a breathtaking 193 from Fakhar Zaman, writes Khalid Mohidin.
They particularly took control when Anrich Nortje’s two wickets in the 11th over pinned Pakistan back at 71/3, particularly the danger man Babar Azam. Nortje then took his third to reduce them to 85 for 4 in the 15th over.
Thereafter it was about keeping the run rate down and taking steady wickets in the process.
Tabraiz Shamsi and Andile Phehlukwayo caused Pakistan to lose their 5th, 6th and 7th wicket. They were 205/7 just before the end of 38 overs.
Pakistan, as we have become accustomed to, did not make it easy for South Africa, they fought through out their innings – Fakhar Zaman in particular was a thorn in the hosts’ side.
Particularly in the 44th over, he hurt the Proteas with three perfectly executed slog sweeps to take him past 150 by hitting Shamsi for three sixes in a row.
Kagiso Rabada then took the wicket of Shaheen Afridi to reduce Pakistan to 273/8 after 45 overs.
The way Zaman farmed the strike and kept the chase alive was exquisite to watch. He scored the highest score by a batsman batting second in an ODI, 193 off 155 balls (18 fours and 10 sixes). It is also the second-highest individual score in a losing cause.
Pakistan needed 31 off the final over, Lungi Ngidi (who took a wicket in his first over of the innings) managed to orchestrate a run-out, when Aiden Markram got a direct hit from the long-off boundary to dismiss Zaman.
The Proteas won by 17 runs.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
