Despite a heroic innings of 193 runs by Fakhar Zaman, South Africa defeated Pakistan by 17 runs in the second One-day International at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday to level the three match series 1-1.
Fakhar amassed 193 off 155 balls with 10 sixes and 18 fours but no one on the other end of the crease supported him as Pakistan made 324 for nine in reply to South Africa’s 341 for six.
Put into bat, Quinton de Kock, captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller hit half-centuries for South Africa.
Pakistan’s chances seemed to be minimal when fast bowler Anrich Nortje dismissed skipper Babar Azam for 31 in his first over and captured two more wickets to reduce the tourists to 85 for four.
However, Fakhar launched an astonishing assault to keep their hopes alive until he was run out in the last over in controversial manner.
Batting on 193 at the start of the last over with Pakistan needing 31 runs to win, Fakhar decided to come back for a second run after playing the first ball towards the off side. South Africa wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock, who was waiting to collect the ball at the striker’s end, gestured as if to suggest that the throw should be at the non-striker’s end. As Fakhar was blindsided with his back towards the fielder, the stumps at the striker’s end were disturbed with a direct hit even as Zaman, who had presumed a throw at the other end, was found short of his ground.
Later, Fakhar took responsibility for the error of judgement in the moments leading up to his run-out, saying it was “my own fault” for not looking at the fielder.
Earlier, newly-appointed captain Temba Bavuma anchored a solid South African batting performance against Pakistan. In his second game as captain, he scored 92 as South Africa, needing a win to keep the three-match series alive, made 341 for six.
The South African innings was in dramatic contrast to their effort in the first match in Centurion, when they lost four wickets inside the first 15 overs, with Pakistan going on to win by three wickets off the last ball.
Early moisture in the pitch again made batting tricky but South Africa put together a succession of productive partnerships as conditions eased.
De Kock (86) and Aiden Markram (39) put on 55 for the first wicket and then with Bavuma added 114 for the second wicket. Rassie van der Dussen hit a blistering 60 off 37 balls as he and Bavuma put on 101 for the third wicket.
Bavuma was content to play the junior role in both century partnerships but kept the scoreboard moving in his 102-ball innings of 92. He hit nine boundaries before holing out to deep midwicket in the 47th over.
Despite two strikes in the closing overs by Haris Rauf, David Miller gave the innings late impetus with an unbeaten 50 off 27 balls.
Fast bowler Rauf took three for 54.
SCORES: South Africa 341-6 in 50 overs (Q. de Kock 80, T. Bavuma 92, H. van der Dussen 60, D. Miller 50 not out; Haris Rauf 3-54)
Pakistan 324-9 in 50 overs (Fakhar Zaman 193; A. Nortje 3-63)
