Cape Town: Pakistan posted a challenging total of 330 runs in their allotted 50 overs against South Africa in the second ODI at Newlands Cricket Ground on Thursday, thanks to a late flurry from Kamran Ghulam.
Put in to bat first, Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start as opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a duck in the very first over with just five runs on the board. However, star batter Babar Azam, who has been in superb form, came to the crease and stabilized the innings alongside last-match centurion Saim Ayub. The two added a crucial 48-run partnership before Ayub (25) was dismissed in the 10th over.
Babar was then joined by captain Mohammad Rizwan, and together they built a match-defining 115-run partnership for the third wicket. Both batters reached their half-centuries, with Rizwan contributing a fluent 80 off 82 balls, including 10 boundaries and three sixes. Babar was dismissed for a well-made 73 off 95 balls, including seven boundaries, when Andile Phehlukwayo got him caught at midwicket in the 33rd over.
Following Babar’s departure, Rizwan continued to anchor the innings, sharing a brief partnership of 24 runs with Salman Ali Agha before being dismissed by Kwena Maphaka. Salman added 33 runs, while the middle order crumbled shortly after Rizwan’s departure.
At number six, Kamran Ghulam’s blistering knock injected life into Pakistan’s total. Ghulam blasted 63 off just 32 balls, hammering four fours and five sixes, and played key partnerships with Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan (15), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (16). He was eventually dismissed off the first delivery of the final over.
South Africa’s bowlers worked hard, with Maphaka leading the way, taking four wickets. Marco Jansen also impressed with three wickets, while Phehlukwayo and Bjorn Fortuin claimed one wicket each.
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The total of 330 runs puts Pakistan in a strong position, with South Africa needing to chase down the target to level the three-match series. Pakistan currently leads the series 1-0 after their thrilling three-wicket victory in the opening match earlier this week.
Scores in brief:
- Pakistan: 330 all out in 50 overs (Babar Azam 73, Mohammad Rizwan 80, Kamran Ghulam 63, Salman Ali Agha 33; Kwena Maphaka 4-56, Marco Jansen 3-64)
- South Africa: To chase 330 runs in the second ODI.
Pakistan will look to build on their momentum and seal the series with a win in the final ODI, while South Africa will need a solid chase to level the series.
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