Pakistan triumphed over South Africa by 81 runs in the second ODI at Newlands, clinching the series 2-0. With strong batting contributions from Rizwan (80) and Babar Azam (73), as well as explosive hitting from Kamran Ghulam (63), Pakistan set a total of 329. South Africa could only manage 248 despite Klaasen’s valiant 97, leading to another series victory for Pakistan.
In the second one-day international at Newlands, Cape Town, held on Thursday, Pakistan secured an impressive 81-run victory over South Africa, thus claiming the ODI series with an unbeatable 2-0 lead. The match’s success was prominently attributed to the contributions from captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, who scored 80 and 73 runs respectively, establishing a crucial partnership of 115 runs for the third wicket. Pakistan set a formidable total of 329 all out, with notable power-hitting late in the innings from Kamran Ghulam, who made a quick-fire 63 runs off just 32 balls. In response, South Africa was bowled out for 248, with Heinrich Klaasen providing resistance with his innings of 97 runs, but he lacked the necessary support from his teammates. Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were instrumental in Pakistan’s bowling attack, taking four and three wickets respectively, which led to South Africa’s downfall. Moreover, this triumph marks Pakistan’s fifth consecutive series victory, illustrating their dominance in the southern hemisphere this season after earlier wins in Australia and Zimbabwe.
The victory against South Africa in the ODI series reflects Pakistan’s continuous improvement and dominance in cricket, especially following their past performances in the southern hemisphere. The series serves as an important indicator of the team’s capabilities leading into future matches, including ICC events. The efforts from experienced players such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, alongside emerging talents like Kamran Ghulam, denote a promising future for Pakistani cricket. The match also highlights the importance of partnerships in establishing match-winning totals while reinforcing the significance of a balanced bowling attack.
In summary, the match showcased Pakistan’s cricketing prowess, particularly through the standout performances of Rizwan, Babar, and Ghulam. Their ability to post a significant total and the effectiveness of their bowlers contributed decisively to the victory. The series win underscores Pakistan’s status as a formidable team in the ODI format, which will bolster their confidence as they prepare for future competitions. Such performances are crucial as they aim to maintain their winning streak and further solidify their reputation in international cricket.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
