South Africa held their nerves in a pressure game as they defeated Pakistan by 17 runs to level the series 1-1 despite a herculean effort of 193 from Fakhar Zaman, who stretched the match till the last over.
South Africa posted a daunting total of 341 for six after being put in to bat, thanks to half-centuries by Quinton de Kock (80), Temba Bevuma (92), Rassie van der Dussen (60), and David Miller (50 n.o).
Pakistan commenced their chase stuttering with Imam-ul-Haq (5) back in the pavilion to Lungi Ngidi (1/66) in the second over.
Babar joined forces with Fakhar Zaman to set a foundation for the chase. The two added 63 runs for the second wicket but Anrich Nortje (3/63) snared the wickets of Babar (31), Mohammad Rizwan (0), and Danish Aziz (9), reducing the visitors to 85/4. The lower middle-order consisting of Shadab Khan (13), Asif Ali (19), and Faheem Ashraf (11) couldn’t hold the port from their side for long, increasing the pressure on Fakhar to stand vehemently at the crease.
Fakhar fuelled the fires of hope in the Pakistan camp to almost bring the visitors home but his gruelling knock 193 off 155 deliveries came to an anti-climatic end with a run-out from Aiden Markram.
Fakhar was awarded the Player of the Match for his spectacular knock that was studded with 18 fours and 10 sixes and is now the highest individual scorer at the Wanderers.
Chief scores
South Africa: 341/6 in 50 overs (Temba Bavuma 92, Quinton de Kock 80, Haris Rauf 3/54)
Pakistan: 324/9 in 50 overs (Fakhar Zaman 193, Anrch Nortje 3/63). (Agencies)
