JOHANNESBURG, April 4: South Africa levelled the series with a 17-run win in the second one-day international against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday despite a spectacular innings by Pakistan opening batsman Fakhar Zaman.
Fakhar hit 193 off 155 balls with 10 sixes and 18 fours but he lacked support as Pakistan made 324 for nine in reply to South Africa’s 341 for six.
Quinton de Kock, captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller hit half-centuries for South Africa, who were sent in.
Pakistan’s chances seemed to be minimal when fast bowler Anrich Nortje dismissed captain Babar Azam for 31 in his first over and followed up with two more quick 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.
“It feels great but it would have been better if we had won. Tried my level best. Good thing is that we fought till the very end,” Fakhar said.
“It was one of the best innings I’ve ever seen. He played it so perfectly,” Babar said about Fakhar’s knock.
“As long as he was there, we had hope of a win. If someone had stood with him, we could have probably won the game. Fakhar had too much pressure on him in the end,” the skipper added.
“Really happy with the win. That was the goal coming here and glad that we did well. Fakhar Zaman played an extraordinary innings but fortunately, we managed to hang on. Credit to him though,” Proteas captain Bavuma said. (Agencies)
