Port Elizabeth: Pakistan sealed their first ever ODI series win in South Africa when they pulled off a thrilling one-run win in the second One-day International here at St George’s Park on Wednesday.
Pakistan defended their 262 in a rain-shortened 45-over game by the smallest of margins as South Africa fell one short of the nine runs they needed off the last over at St. George’s Park to take the three-game series to a decider.
Pakistan have the chance to be the first team ever to whitewash South Africa at home in an ODI contest in the final game.
A century partnership between Hashim Amla (98) and AB de Villiers (74) took South Africa to the brink of victory, but Amla’s wicket fell off the last ball of the penultimate over. Junaid Khan took 3-42 for the victorious tourists, who just held on under intense pressure.
Earlier, Ahmed Shehzad’s 102 set up victory for Pakistan, while Dale Steyn’s career-best 6-39 was part of a losing effort for South Africa as the world’s leading team in Test cricket continued to struggle for consistency in ODIs.
Following a 4-1 drubbing by the South Africans in United Arab Emirates at the start of the month, Pakistan turned the tables dramatically weeks later to send South Africa to their first one-day series defeat at home in over two years.
Pakistan weren’t even meant to tour now, but were asked to fill a gap in South Africa’s home schedule after India shortened their upcoming series. They also lost key players to injury before the series started and still came through for a momentous win.
Shehzad’s 112-ball knock with eight fours and two sixes laid a winning platform in Port Elizabeth. He shared a 124-run partnership for the third wicket with Sohaib Maqsood (42) after coming through an early onslaught by Steyn in overcast conditions at the start of the day.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription