South Africa defeated Pakistan by 10 wickets in the second Test to secure a 2-0 series victory. Chasing a target of 58 runs, they completed the match swiftly with David Bedingham’s 44 not out. Pakistan struggled after being forced to follow on and faced challenges due to injuries.
South Africa achieved a commanding 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test held in Cape Town, thus clinching the series 2-0. Pakistan, who were compelled to follow on 421 runs behind, managed to reach 478 all out in their second innings. However, South Africa, fresh from qualifying for the World Test Championship final, chased down a target of merely 58 runs on the fourth day, completing the match in just 7.1 overs. David Bedingham scored an unbeaten 44 runs to ensure the swift conclusion of the match.
In the absence of regular opener Ryan Rickelton, who suffered a hamstring injury following his impressive first-innings score of 259 from a team total of 615, Bedingham stepped in admirably. Pakistan’s innings saw resilient contributions from captain Shan Masood, who led their fightback with 145 runs. Masood’s innings ended when he was leg before wicket to debutant Kwena Maphaka shortly after Kagiso Rabada dismissed Saud Shakeel, resulting in a significant collapse for the visitors as they struggled with only ten players due to Saim Ayub’s broken ankle.
Despite a spirited effort by Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha, who contributed with 41 and 48 runs respectively, South Africa’s bowlers faced a benign pitch. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, expected to perform strongly on day four, managed to pick up three wickets for 137 runs after bowling 45 overs. This victory marks South Africa’s seventh consecutive win, positioning them strongly as they head into the Test championship final against Australia at Lord’s in June, a remarkable achievement in their cricketing history.
This series concluded at a significant point in South African cricket, as the team prepares for the World Test Championship final. The victory against Pakistan is bolstered by a record of seven consecutive Test wins, making it their second-best streak ever. The match highlighted both individual performances and challenges faced by the Pakistan team, including injuries that affected their batting lineup and their inability to perform on a favorable pitch.
In summary, South Africa’s decisive victory over Pakistan not only secures a 2-0 series triumph but also underscores their impressive form heading into the World Test Championship final. The match highlighted impactful performances from players like David Bedingham and Shan Masood while revealing vulnerabilities in the Pakistan team due to critical injuries. Overall, this series win is a testament to South Africa’s cricket prowess and depth.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
