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The picturesque Newlands Stadium in Cape Town witnessed a scintillating clash on December 19, 2024, as Pakistan secured a rather easy victory against South Africa in the 2nd ODI of the series. This one-sided encounter not only showcased Pakistan's resilience but also reaffirmed their position as a formidable force in international cricket. This win also gave Pakistan an unassailable lead in the ODI series, with the last ODI of the series to be played on the 22nd of December at Johannesburg. Here's an in-depth look at the highlights, key performances, and what this victory means for Pakistan cricket.
The Build-Up: Stakes High in the Series
The series was evenly poised following a competitive first ODI, with both teams eager to gain an edge. South Africa, playing on home soil, had the advantage of familiar conditions, while Pakistan entered the game with a determined mindset to win the series after beating South Africa in the 1st ODI.
The Toss and Early Momentum
Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bowl first, a decision driven by the fact that the Newland’s pitch has always favored the bowling sides and early swing can always help the fast bowlers. Pakistan had a horrid start again when Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a second straight duck. Babar & Saim gave some stability to the innings, but the first ODI centurion Saim, was also dismissed on 25 by the debutant Kwena Maphaka.
Middle-Order Magic
Babar Azam once again proved why he is regarded as one of the best batters in the world. He anchored the innings with a classy 73 off 95 balls with his partnership with the skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed a well-made 80 off 82 balls. After a partnership of 115 runs, Babar departed but some quickfire cameos from Kamran Ghulam & Salman Agha propelled Pakistan to a monumental total of 329. Ghulam was brilliant with his power hitting, smashing the South African bowlers to all parts of the ground and scoring 63 on just 32 balls.
South Africa's Response: A Tale of Grit and Pressure
Chasing 330, South Africa’s innings got off to a shaky start as Temba Bavuma was dismissed early for just 12 runs by Naseem Shah. Van der Dussen & de Zorzi brought some stability to the chase, but Pakistani spinners had other ideas. Abrar Ahmed bowled de Zorzi with a peach of a delivery & then struck Markram right in front of the stumps, while Agha claimed Van der Dussen’s wicket. Suddenly, South Africa was left reeling at 113/4 before Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller stitched an important partnership of 72 runs to get South Africa back in the game. Klaasen carried his red-hot form from the first ODI and was brutal on anything pitched short, while David Miller, after a sluggish start, was finally beginning to find his touch.
Pakistan’s Bowling Brilliance
Shaheen Afridi was brough back by Rizwan and he tore through South Africa’s middle and lower middle order. From 185/4, South Africa slumped to 205/7 with Shaheen Afridi dismissing David Miller, Marco Jensen & Andile Phehlukwayo. Klaasen tried his best to stitch some partnership with the lower and made 97 off just 74 balls, but he was finally dismissed by Naseem Shah, handing Pakistan 81 runs victory and bowling South Africa out on 248.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Babar Azam’s & Rizwan’s Partnership: The skipper Mohammad Rizwan led from the front and his partnership with Babar Azam was instrumental in making sure that Pakistan didn’t loose any wickets in the middle overs after a shaky start.
- Balanced Team Performance: Pakistan’s win was a result of contributions across all departments – batting, bowling, and fielding. Even Pakistan’s decision to review some of the on-field umpiring decisions was praiseworthy.
- Pressure Handling: The team’s ability to hold their nerve in high-pressure moments was commendable. When Miller & Klaasen started to shift momentum towards South Africa, Shaheen Afridi’s bowling spell under pressure was a treat to watch.
What’s Next?
With the series already won by Pakistan, the third pink ODI at Johannesburg will still provide both teams with an opportunity to try new combinations, using their bench-strength and prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Pakistan will look to carry forward this momentum, while South Africa will aim to regroup and capitalize on home conditions in the final ODI.
A Moment to Celebrate for Pakistan Cricket
This victory is a testament to Pakistan’s growing consistency and adaptability in international cricket. After defeating Australia in their own backyard in an ODI series, they have done it in South Africa as well which will provide a huge boost to team Pakistan just before the Champions Trophy. As fans celebrate this memorable win, the team’s focus remains firmly on delivering more such performances on the global stage.
