South Africa delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan by eight wickets in the second ODI at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on Thursday, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.
Chasing Pakistan’s 270-run target, the Proteas made light work of the total, reaching it in just 40.1 overs with the loss of only two wickets. Openers Lhuandre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock gave South Africa a flying start with an 81-run partnership before Pretorius was dismissed for 46 off 40 balls, including seven boundaries and a six.
Tony de Zorzi then joined de Kock to form a match-winning 153-run second-wicket stand. De Zorzi scored a quick 76 off 63 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes before being caught at point by Faheem Ashraf in the 35th over. Quinton de Kock anchored the innings brilliantly, finishing unbeaten on 123 from 119 balls with eight fours and seven sixes. Captain Matthew Breetzke added a quick 16 not out to help seal the win.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Faheem Ashraf managed one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings got off to a rocky start, with Nandre Burger dismissing Fakhar Zaman (0), Babar Azam (11), and Mohammad Rizwan (4) inside the first five overs. Saim and Agha then steadied the innings with a 92-run fourth-wicket partnership, with Saim scoring 53 off 66 balls.
Agha top-scored for Pakistan with 69 runs from 105 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz supported with 59 runs off 59 deliveries. Faheem Ashraf played a quick cameo of 28 runs off 18 balls, but Pakistan ultimately fell short of the target, finishing 269/9.
The series now heads to a decisive third ODI in Faisalabad on Saturday.
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