Sports Desk
South Africa delivered an impressive batting display, comfortably chasing a 270-run target to defeat Pakistan by eight wickets in the second ODI at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on Thursday.
The thumping victory helped South Africa level the series against Pakistan at 1-1, with the third and final ODI set to be played at the same venue on Saturday.
The touring side made the light work of the 270-run target set by Pakistan as they achieved the total for the loss of just two wickets and 59 balls to spare.
South Africa got off to a flamboyant start to the pursuit, courtesy of a brisk 81-run stand between openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and de Kock.
Returning Mohammad Wasim Jr provided the home side with a much-needed breakthrough in the 12th over by getting Pretorius caught behind. The opener made a 40-ball 46 with the help of seven fours and a six.
Following his dismissal, Tony de Zorzi joined de Kock in the middle, and the duo strengthened South Africa’s position by putting together 153 runs for the second wicket.
The match-defining partnership culminated in the 35th over when Faheem Ashraf got de Zorzi caught at point. He walked back after scoring a brisk 76 off just 63 deliveries, smashing nine fours and three sixes.
Quinton de Kock, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way through and top-scored with an unbeaten 123 off 119 deliveries, studded with eight fours and seven sixes. He received notable support from captain Matthew Breetzke, who made 16 not out from 20 balls.
For Pakistan, Wasim Jr and Faheem could pick up a wicket apiece.
Opting to bat first, the home team finished at 269/9 in the allotted 50 overs, courtesy of a late onslaught.
The Green Shirts, however, got off to a dismal start to their innings as left-arm pacer Nandre Burger ran through their top-order, dismissing Fakhar Zaman (zero), Babar Azam (11) and Mohammad Rizwan (four) cheaply.
With the hosts reeling at 22/3 in 4.5 overs, Agha joined Saim in the middle, and the duo launched a recovery by putting together a gutsy 92-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
The crucial stand was eventually broken by Corbin Bosch in the 25th over as he got Saim caught and bowled. The opening batter remained a notable run-getter for Pakistan with a 66-ball 53, laced with five fours and a six.
Pakistan then suffered another setback to their batting charge as Hussain Talat (10) fell victim to Nqabayomzi Peter in the 30th over.
Agha was then involved in another crucial partnership for Pakistan when he put together 59 runs for the sixth wicket with fellow all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz until eventually being dismissed by Bosch in the 41st over.
The right-handed batter remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a gutsy 69 off 105 deliveries, smashing five fours.
Following his departure, Nawaz took the reins of Pakistan’s innings and walked back after a run-a-ball 59, studded with four sixes and three fours before being dismissed by Nqabayomzi Peter on the penultimate delivery of the final over.
He received notable support from Faheem Ashraf, who played a blistering 28-run cameo off just 18 deliveries, featuring two sixes and as many fours.
Burger was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, taking four wickets for just 46 runs in his 10 overs, followed by leg-spinner Peter with three, while Bosch bagged two.
