Pakistan showcased their dominance once again, defeating South Africa by 81 runs in the second ODI at Newlands, Cape Town, securing the series with two wins out of three matches. The match was held on December 20, 2024, and it was Pakistan's third consecutive ODI series victory, following wins against Zimbabwe and Australia earlier this season.
Pakistan posted a strong total of 329 runs, thanks to significant contributions from their batsmen. Mohammad Rizwan led the charge with 80 runs off 82 balls, supported by Babar Azam’s 73 runs and Kamran Ghulam's explosive 63 off just 32 deliveries. This innings solidified Pakistan’s strategy of pacing their innings well, particularly during the death overs, where they scored 128 runs from the final 12 overs. Their innings ended on the last ball of the 50 overs, as they were bowled out for 329.
South Africa opted to field first after winning the toss, intending to utilize the dew and early moisture on the pitch to their advantage. Despite starting strong, South Africa's bowlers faltered during the middle overs, allowing Pakistan to accelerate and post a formidable total. The debutant Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 72 runs, but his efforts were overshadowed by his team’s inability to limit runs.
Chasing 330, South Africa began their innings briskly, with collaborations from Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi putting them up to 74 runs before the first wicket fell. Despite good starts from players like Heinrich Klaasen, who made 97 runs off 74 balls, the South African batting lineup collapsed under pressure from Pakistan's bowlers.
Shaheen Afridi particularly stood out with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 47 runs, leveraging his experience and skills to bowl decisively during the key phases of the match. Alongside him, Naseem Shah contributed with 3 wickets for 37 runs. The South African innings crumbled to 248 all out within 43.1 overs, sealing their fate and giving Pakistan the victory.
The match showcased Pakistan's bowling prowess and strategic batting approach. Rizwan, Pakistan’s captain, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, emphasizing the collective effort. "It's a team game and everyone chipped in at different stages," Rizwan stated. He praised the innings-building capacity of his players, highlighting the importance of keeping wickets in hand for pushing runs toward the end.
South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, acknowledged the flaws in their performance. He claimed, "For the first 25 overs with the ball, we had the game under control but let it slip, conceding over 200 runs later on." This failure to capitalize prompted Bavuma to focus on the need for their batsmen to convert starts to significant scores, especially as five batters got starts but couldn’t convert them to substantial innings.
While Pakistan celebrated their victory, it was Kamran Ghulam who emerged as the Player of the Match for his unparalleled blitzkrieg innings. "I’m happy with my performance and with the series victory as well. The team has been working hard and the results are showing now," Ghulam remarked.
This match marks Pakistan's solidification as contenders, particularly due to their adaptability and the resurgence of key players. The focus now shifts to the third and final ODI scheduled for December 22, 2024, where South Africa will look to avoid whitewash at home, aiming to rise from the ashes of two consecutive defeats.
