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.
In the series opener, Pakistan pulled off a nail-biting two-wicket win against South Africa at the Iqbal Stadium, achieving the highest successful chase in the venue’s history.
Chasing 264, the home side finished at 264/8 in 49.4 overs, securing victory with just two balls to spare.
The match saw brilliant half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, alongside a strong collective bowling performance.
Pakistan began their chase confidently with an 87-run opening stand between Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman.
Ayub scored 39 off 42 balls, including four fours and a six, while Fakhar made 45 from 57 deliveries, hitting two sixes.
However, South Africa fought back through right-arm spinner Donovan Ferreira, who dismissed both openers in successive overs, leaving Pakistan at 102/2 in 17.3 overs.
Babar Azam then fell cheaply for seven, making the chase even more challenging at 105/3.
Rizwan and Salman Agha steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but the lower order stumbled later, losing three quick wickets after Rizwan’s dismissal in the 39th over.
Pakistan slipped to 252/7 in the 48th over, needing 12 runs from 12 balls.
Salman Agha top-scored with 62 off 71 balls, hitting five fours and a six, while Rizwan contributed 55 runs from 74 deliveries.
Mohammad Nawaz briefly held the chase together with nine runs off nine balls before falling in the final over.
Incoming batter Naseem Shah survived an LBW scare and completed the winning run, handing Pakistan a tense two-wicket victory.
For South Africa, Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira, and Lungi Ngidi took two wickets each, while George Linde and Bjorn Fortuin claimed one apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan’s newly appointed captain Shaheen Afridi won the toss and chose to field, restricting South Africa to 263 all out in 49.1 overs.
The visitors started strongly with a 98-run opening partnership between Lhuan-dre Pretorius (57) and Quinton de Kock (63).
Saim Ayub provided the breakthrough by dismissing Pretorius in the 16th over, and South Africa quickly lost momentum, with Tony de Zorzi and de Kock falling in quick succession.
Captain Matthew Breetzke (42) and debutant Sinethemba Qeshile (22) tried to stabilize the innings, but a late collapse, triggered by Mohammad Nawaz’s key wicket, ensured South Africa could not build a competitive total.
Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah led the bowling effort for Pakistan with three wickets each, while Shaheen Afridi, Nawaz, and Saim Ayub contributed one or two wickets apiece, playing a vital role in restricting the visitors and setting up a thrilling chase.
This win also marked Pakistan’s fifth consecutive ODI victory over South Africa, adding another feather to their impressive record against the Proteas.
The second ODI of the series is set to take place at Faisalabad on Thursday November 6, with South Africa looking to bounce back.
Stay tuned to Times of Karachi for live updates.
The post Live: Pakistan vs South Africa, second ODI appeared first on Times Of Karachi.
