PAK vs SA: Right-hand batsman Kamran Ghulam and left-hand seamer Shaheen Afridi during the second ODI of the three-match series at Newlands on Thursday Afridi’s outstanding performance led Pakistan to defeat South Africa by 81 runs. With this win, Pakistan takes a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final match being played in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The Asian side scored a total of 329 runs from captain Mohammad Rizwan (80), Babar Azam (73) and Kamran Ghulam ( Kamran Ghulam (63) scored a half-century there which was too much for the Proteas as a clinical bowling performance from Shaheen Afridi (4) overwhelmed the Proteas . /47) and Naseem Shah (3/37) guide tourists home.
It was Pakistan’s fifth win in a bilateral ODI series – they also became the first Asian team to win three consecutive ODI series in South Africa, following series wins over Australia and Zimbabwe in recent months. .
It will also help Pakistan maintain momentum ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy as they bid to become only the second team to defend the trophy after Australia won it back-to-back in 2006 and 2009.
Seven years ago in 2017, Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India in the final of the Champions Trophy tournament at London’s Oval and will be considered favorites for next year’s tournament based on their performances in the 50-over format so far. one.
Rizwan was delighted with his team’s performance and the Pakistan skipper paid special tribute to Ghulam, who was awarded the Man of the Match award for his superb batting in the final seconds.
“It was a great team effort and everyone performed really well. As captain it’s always a great feeling to see a performance like this. A positive start from Saim Ayoub gave us a solid start the basis of
So Babar and I decided to play slower and consolidate the innings. However, Kamran Ghulam’s innings did give us momentum and took the game away from South Africa. Initially, our target was around 300 but his batting helped us reach a total of over 320.
“I had full confidence in Kamran Ghulam as captain but I didn’t expect him to perform like he did tonight. I have played against him in KPK and Peshawar in the same region but he showed in the game today Completely different side.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma lamented the retreat of his batsmen late in the game, who had early losses from Heinrich Klaasen (97) and Tony de Zorzi (34) got a good innings there. “We were in control in the first 25 overs but we let them express themselves in the last 25. We let a good performance in the first 25 overs slip away,” Bavuma said.
Pakistan were out for 329 (Mohammed Rizwan 80, Babar Azam 73, Quina Mafaka 4/72) vs South Africa were out for 247 (Heinrich Klassen 97, Tony de Zo Erzi 34, Shaheen Afridi 4/47).