Shaheen Shah Afridi showcased exceptional seam bowling skills as Pakistan secured its One-Day International series against South Africa with a convincing 81-run win at Newlands, clinching the series with a 2-0 lead before the final match scheduled for Sunday in Johannesburg.
In an unexpected strategy, South Africa opted to send the Pakistani team in to bat on a pitch known for its challenging conditions when batting under lights. Pakistan responded by posting a formidable total of 329, ultimately finishing their innings all out.
Heinrich Klaasen emerged as the standout performer for South Africa, scoring a resilient 97 runs off 74 balls. However, his efforts proved insufficient, as the home side collapsed to a total of 248 runs in just 43.1 overs, thereby failing to match Pakistan's all-around performance in the encounter.
The innings for Pakistan was anchored by captain Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed 80 runs off 82 balls. Yet, the momentum of their innings was significantly boosted by Kamran Ghulam's explosive innings, which accelerated the scoring rate with 63 runs off just 32 deliveries. Babar Azam added to the tally with a measured 73 runs from 95 balls, while Pakistan capitalized on a series of fielding errors from South Africa that resulted in numerous dropped catches and a lack of accuracy in their bowling.
On the bowling front, debuting fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, aged 18, was the standout performer for South Africa, returning figures of 4 for 72 over his quota of 10 overs. Despite his individual success, the overall bowling performance of the South African team fell short of expectations, allowing Pakistan to build a substantial total.
Throughout their innings, several South African batters managed to get starts, but Pakistan's bowlers maintained pressure by taking wickets at regular intervals. As the chase progressed, Klaasen found himself running out of partners, underscoring the struggle of the home side.
In the bowling department, Afridi stood out with impressive control, capturing 4 wickets for 47 runs. He played a pivotal role in dismantling the South African middle-order, notably dismissing the dangerous David Miller, who scored 29 runs, thus contributing significantly to South Africa's defeat.
The comprehensive nature of the victory reflects Pakistan's dominance in various aspects of the game, highlighting not only their scoring prowess but also their effectiveness with the ball. This win serves as a testament to Pakistan's capabilities in One-Day Internationals, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing final match in the series. As the teams prepare for their concluding contest, all eyes will be on how South Africa rebounds from this setback and whether Pakistan can maintain their momentum and clinch the series 3-0.