Early Set back: The Green Shirts got off to a dismal start in their innings. Opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the first over, leaving Pakistan with just five runs on the board.
Babar Azam and Saim Ayub Stabilize the Innings: After the early hiccup, star batter Babar Azam joined last-match centurion Saim Ayub (25) for a crucial 48-run partnership. However, the partnership ended with Ayub’s dismissal in the 10th over.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s Match-Defining Stand: Babar Azam then teamed up with skipper Mohammad Rizwan, and together they raised a match-defining 115-run partnership for the third wicket. Both batters reached half-centuries, stabilizing Pakistan’s innings.
Babar Azam’s Dismissal: All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo broke the partnership in the 33rd over, dismissing Babar at midwicket. Babar scored 73 off 95 balls, with seven boundaries.
Rizwan’s Contribution: Rizwan continued to anchor Pakistan’s innings. He formed a brief 24-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha before being dismissed by Kwena Maphaka in the 36th over. Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with an 82-ball 80, which included 10 boundaries, including three sixes.
Kamran’s Blistering Knock: Kamran, coming in at number six, took charge of Pakistan’s batting with a blistering knock. He smashed four fours and five sixes, racing to 63 off just 32 balls. Kamran was involved in crucial partnerships with Salman Ali Agha (33), Muhammad Irfan Khan (15), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (16) before being dismissed on the first ball of the final over.
South Africa’s Bowling Performance:
Maphaka’s Four-Wicket Haul: For South Africa, Kwena Maphaka was the standout bowler, leading the way with four wickets.
Supporting Roles: Marco Jansen provided valuable support with three wickets, while Bjorn Fortuin and Andile Phehlukwayo chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Series Status:
For the unversed, Pakistan leads the ongoing three-match series 2-0, courtesy of their hard-fought three-wicket victory in the opener on Tuesday.
PLAYING XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Tabraiz Shamsi
