Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten century and Nandre Burger’s four-wicket haul guided South Africa to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second ODI of the three-match series at Iqbal Stadium on Thursday, achieving the highest successful chase in the venue’s history.
The win allowed South Africa to level the series 1-1, setting up a decider in the third ODI at the same venue on Saturday.
Chasing Pakistan’s total of 270, South Africa made light work of the target, reaching 270-2 in just 40.1 overs.
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The chase was built on a strong opening partnership of 81 runs between Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock.
Pretorius scored 46 off 40 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, before falling to Mohammad Wasim Jr, who provided Pakistan with a crucial early breakthrough in the 12th over.
READ: Pakistan secures highest successful chase in Faisalabad against South Africa
Tony de Zorzi then joined de Kock at the crease, and the pair put together a match-defining 153-run stand for the second wicket.
De Zorzi’s innings of 76 off 63 balls included nine fours and three sixes before he was caught by Saim Ayub in the 35th over.
Quinton de Kock remained unbeaten on 123 from 119 balls, striking eight fours and seven sixes, steering South Africa to victory with ease.
Captain Matthew Breetzke also contributed 17 not out off 21 balls, providing steady support at the end.
Faheem Ashraf and Wasim Jr managed to claim a wicket each.
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Earlier, Pakistan’s innings began poorly as Nandre Burger tore through the top order.
Fakhar Zaman fell for a duck, Babar Azam was dismissed for 11, and Mohammad Rizwan managed only four runs, leaving Pakistan at 22-3 after just 4.5 overs.
Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha then steadied the innings with a 92-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Ayub scored 53 off 66 balls, hitting five fours and a six, before being caught and bowled by Corbin Bosch in the 25th over.
Hussain Talat added 10 before falling to Nqabayomzi Peter.
READ: Pakistan vs South Africa ODI Series: H2H, Squads & Where to Watch
Salman Ali Agha top-scored for Pakistan with 69 off 106 deliveries, hitting five fours, while Mohammad Nawaz provided excellent support with a run-a-ball 59 that included four sixes and three fours.
Faheem Ashraf played a quick cameo of 28 off 18 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours, helping Pakistan reach a challenging total of 269-9 in their 50 overs.
Burger’s impressive bowling figures of 4-46 in 10 overs, along with Peter’s three wickets and Bosch’s two, made life difficult for Pakistan’s batters throughout the innings.
With the series now leveled, the third ODI will be played at the same venue on Saturday.
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South Africa secures victory
Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten century guided South Africa to a dominant eight-wicket victory.
10:30 pm -
De Kock continues to dominate
Quinton de Kock remains unbeaten on 108 off 109 balls, steering South Africa’s chase with ease. With Matthew Breetzke supporting at the other end, the visitors reach 242-2 after 36 overs, firmly in control of the game.
10:00 pm -
South Africa inches closer to victory
Quinton de Kock reached a superb hundred off 96 balls, anchoring South Africa’s dominant chase. Partnered by Tony de Zorzi’s fluent 63, the duo has guided their team to a commanding 215-1 after 31 overs.
9:35 pm -
South Africa cruise towards target
Tony de Zorzi tore into Mohammad Nawaz’s over, smashing two massive sixes and a boundary to accelerate South Africa’s chase. With de Kock rotating strike smartly, the visitors look in complete control at 156-1 after 23 overs.
9:00 pm -
South Africa tighten grip on chase
Quinton de Kock shifted gears with a flurry of boundaries, moving to 65 off 62 balls. Alongside Tony de Zorzi, he’s keeping South Africa firmly in control of the chase at 136-1 after 21 overs.
8:45 pm -
De Kock keeps momentum going
South Africa remain comfortably ahead at the drinks break, led by Quinton de Kock’s fluent 44 off 45 balls. Mohammad Wasim Jr has been impressive with the ball, but Pakistan need quick wickets to shift the momentum at 98-1 after 16 overs.
8:20 pm -
South Africa make confident start
Lhuan-dre Pretorius took charge early with a mix of power and precision, racing to 29 off 27 balls. Alongside Quinton de Kock, he guided South Africa to a strong 40-0 after seven overs despite Pakistan’s disciplined bowling from Shaheen Afridi.
7:40 pm -
Nawaz powers Pakistan to competitive total
Mohammad Nawaz’s late burst lifted Pakistan to a competitive total of 269 for nine.
6:50 pm -
Nawaz leads Pakistan’s recovery
Mohammad Nawaz continues to play a vital hand, guiding Pakistan past 200 with a composed 40 off 49 balls. Faheem Ashraf is providing support at the other end as Pakistan reach 210-6 after 45 overs.
6:10 pm -
Salman Ali Agha remains steady
Salman Ali Agha continues to anchor Pakistan’s innings with a composed 60 off 95 balls. Alongside Mohammad Nawaz, he is guiding the team through a cautious rebuild, taking the score to 164-5 after 37 overs.
5:40 pm -
Saim Ayub reaches fifty
Saim Ayub brought up his second ODI half-century with a well-placed single off Fortuin. The left-hander showed great composure and patience, anchoring Pakistan’s innings amid early pressure from South Africa’s bowlers.
4:45 pm -
Pakistan’s batters dig in
Runs remain hard to come by as South Africa keep things tight with disciplined bowling. Saim Ayub and Salman Agha continue to build patiently, taking Pakistan to 59-3 after 17 overs while Ferreira impresses with an economical spell.
4:18 pm -
Pakistan struggle
Pakistan’s innings slowed down as boundaries dried up following early setbacks. Saim Ayub and Salman Agha are trying to steady the innings, but South Africa’s bowlers continue to maintain tight control, restricting the score to 42-3 after 11 overs.
3:55 pm -
Babar Azam falls to Nandre Burger
Nandre Burger struck again with a fiery 139.8 kph delivery that squared up Babar Azam.
Pakistan batter edged it to Ferreira, departing for 11 off 13 balls as South Africa gained early control.
3:25 pm -
Pakistan suffer early setback
Pakistan faced an early blow when Fakhar Zaman fell in the opening over while Babar Azam survives a close call. Despite the setback, Babar Azam and Saim Ayub are looking to rebuild, taking the score to 16-1 after three overs. Nandre Burger struck early, conceding 13 runs in his two overs.
3:20 pm -
Pitch Report
Ramiz Raja believes the surface in Faisalabad offers improved bounce and smoother conditions compared to the first game. He added that while a few cracks remain, the pitch should favor batting, calling Pakistan’s decision to bat first a smart move.
2:50 pm -
Playing XI
South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Sinethemba Qeshile, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Nqabayomzi PeterPakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah2:35 pm -
Pakistan to bat first
Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss. “The pitch looks the same. We feel the ball will come on to the bat nicely,” Shaheen said.
2:30 pm -
Welcome to Live Coverage of Pakistan vs South Africa second ODI
Hello and welcome! We’re thrilled to have you with us as we count down to the second ODI of the series. After leveling the Test series 1-1, Pakistan clinched the T20I series 2-1 and took the lead in the first ODI.
7:15 pm
