Pakistan Clinches ODI Series Against South Africa with Convincing Win

Pakistan secured an 81-run victory over South Africa, clinching the one-day international series with a 2-0 lead. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were instrumental in this win, contributing significantly to the team total of 329. South Africa’s Klaasen scored 97 runs, but Pakistan’s bowlers dominated with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah taking key wickets. Kamran Ghulam’s explosive batting also played a crucial role.

In a stunning performance, Pakistan’s veterans Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan led their team to an impressive 81-run victory over South Africa in the second one-day international at Newlands, Cape Town. The match showcased Pakistan’s batting prowess, culminating in a total of 329 all out, bolstered by significant contributions from Babar (73) and captain Rizwan (80). The two established a solid partnership, accumulating 115 runs for the third wicket, setting the stage for an eventual series win.

While South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen fought valiantly with a score of 97, their innings ended at 248, falling short of the target. Pakistani fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi (4 wickets for 47 runs) and Naseem Shah (3 for 37) were pivotal in dismantling the South African lineup. This victory allowed Pakistan to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, marking their fifth consecutive series win and their third triumph in the southern hemisphere season after previous wins in Australia and Zimbabwe.

Rizwan emphasized the team effort by stating, “It is a team game; from beginning to end, all of the guys are involved and contributing.” Despite a slow start, the partnership between Babar and Rizwan was crucial in laying a firm foundation for the aggressive batting that followed, particularly from Kamran Ghulam, who scored an explosive 63 off just 32 balls, hitting five sixes. This power-hitting resulted in Pakistan scoring a remarkable 161 runs in the last 17 overs of their innings.

South Africa, despite losing early wickets, had six batsmen who managed to get starts, but only Klaasen capitalized with a substantial innings. He ended up being the last wicket to fall as he was caught on the boundary after hitting eight fours and four sixes off 74 balls. The match concluded with Pakistan successfully clinching the series, showcasing their growing dominance in one-day internationals.

This article discusses the recently concluded second one-day international match between Pakistan and South Africa, held in Cape Town. Pakistan achieved a series-clinching win, showcasing the performances of key players, particularly Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The match is significant as it highlights Pakistan’s cricketing prowess in the context of the ongoing series and their overall performance in international cricket, specifically in the southern hemisphere.

The victory over South Africa in the second one-day international underscores Pakistan’s strong cricketing capabilities, particularly highlighted by the performances of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The team’s ability to secure an unassailable lead in the series reflects their strategic approach and depth in batting talent. With this win, Pakistan continues to build momentum in their international cricket endeavors, suggesting a path forward for future successes.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr