Pakistan beat South Africa by 81 runs in second ODI

Pakistan defeated South Africa by 81 runs in the second One Day International (ODI) at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on Thursday, securing the series win by 2-0.

Batting first after South Africa opted to bowl, Pakistan set a formidable target of 330 runs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan led the scoring with a solid 80 runs, followed by Babar Azam's impressive 73.

The innings began on a shaky note for Pakistan as opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the first over with just five runs on the board. However, Babar Azam steadied the innings with Saim Ayub, building a 48-run partnership before Ayub fell in the 10th over.

Rizwan then joined Babar, and the duo formed a match-defining 115-run partnership for the third wicket, both reaching half-centuries. Babar eventually departed in the 33rd over, caught at midwicket off Andile Phehlukwayo's bowling, scoring 73 off 95 deliveries with seven fours.

Rizwan continued to anchor the innings, adding 24 runs with Salman Ali Agha before being dismissed by Kwena Maphaka in the 36th over. Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with an 82-ball 80, including 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Lower down the order, Kamran Akmal provided the finishing touch with a blistering 32-ball 63, featuring four fours and five sixes. Kamran also built crucial partnerships with Salman Ali Agha (33), Muhammad Irfan Khan (15), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (16), before falling on the first ball of the final over.

For South Africa, Kwena Maphaka stood out with four wickets, while Marco Jansen took three. Bjorn Fortuin and Andile Phehlukwayo claimed one wicket each. Chasing 330, South Africa struggled against Pakistan's disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 248 in 43.1 overs. The Green Shirts’ bowlers delivered an overpowering performance to seal the victory and secure the series win.