KEY POINTS
- South Africa beat Pakistan by 8 wickets, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.
- Quinton de Kock’s brilliant century steered South Africa to victory.
- Pakistan’s early collapse and middle-order struggles restricted them to 269/9.
FAISALABAD, Pakistan: South Africa secured an impressive 8-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second ODI at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.
Chasing a target of 270 runs, South Africa reached 270/2 in 40.1 overs, comfortably winning with 59 balls to spare.
Pakistan, after opting to bat first, managed to post a total of 269/9 in their 50 overs, with significant contributions from Salman Agha (69), Mohammad Nawaz (59), and Saim Ayub (53).
However, the loss of early wickets and a middle-order collapse limited their progress. Fakhar Zaman’s early dismissal for a duck and Babar Azam’s quick exit for 11 put Pakistan on the back foot early in the innings.
South Africa’s bowlers, led by Nandre Burger (4/46) and Corbin Bosch (2/58), dominated the Pakistan batting line-up.
💥 Big wicket! Faheem Ashraf gets Tony de Zorzi, caught at point by Saim Ayub 👏
📺 Watch live in the UK region, sign up now at https://t.co/Z0RXSR7gYM#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/4LCGsUv4Ra
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 6, 2025
The two pacers, along with Nqabayomzi Peter (3/55), kept Pakistan’s batsmen in check, restricting them to under 270 despite some late resistance.
In reply, South Africa’s opening pair of Lhuan-dre Pretorius (46) and Quinton de Kock (123*) laid a solid foundation. Pretorius and de Zorzi (76) guided South Africa to 81/1 at the first break.
The pair, including a brilliant century by de Kock, ensured that Pakistan’s bowlers had little opportunity to mount a comeback.
Despite Faheem Ashraf’s late breakthrough, removing Pretorius for 46, the chase was always under control, as de Zorzi and de Kock’s unbroken partnership brought the visitors to victory with ease.
South Africa reached their target in just 40.1 overs, squaring the series 1-1.
🎯 Wasim Jr gets 1st breakthrough! Pretorius edges behind & Rizwan takes a sharp diving catch👏
📺 Watch live in the UK region, sign up now at https://t.co/Z0RXSR7gYM#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/kmoaucRHnf
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 6, 2025
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (0/41) and Mohammad Wasim (1/54) could not make significant breakthroughs, while the rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain the South African batsmen.
With the series now tied at 1-1, the final ODI in Faisalabad on November 8 promises to be a thrilling decider, as both teams vie for supremacy.
