South Africa VS Pakistan ODI Series
3rd Match Played At Centurion Park On 7 April 2021
Pakistan 320/7 (Fakhar Zaman 101, Babar Azam 94, Imam Ul Haq 57, Hasan Ali 32 *, Keshav Maharaj 3/45, Aiden Markram 2/48)
South Africa: 292 All Out in 49.3 Overs (Janneman Malan 70, Kayle Verrenne 62, Andile Phehlukwayo 54, Mohammad Newaz 3/34, Shahin Shah Afridi 3/58, Haris Rauf 2/45)
Pakistan Won by 28 Runs
Pakistan Won The Series 2-1
Player Of The Match: Babar Azam
Player Of The Series: Fakhar Zaman
A perfect blend of young enterprising quality players under exemplary dynamic leadership of Babar Azam deservedly won the three matches ODI series against South Africa 2-1. Batting first Pakistan set up a massive 320/7 needing capacity handicapped South Africa (top players released for IPL 2019 assignments) braved chasing. They could reach as far as 292 losing by 28 runs. Pakistan won the first and lost the second ODI.
Excellent opening partnership of 112 between effervescent Imam Ul Haq and flamboyant Fakhar Zaman and explosive finish between Babar Azam and Hasan Ali adding 63 in the last four overs. Chasing 320/7 for young South African outfit was always a challenge on the slow gripping wicket against quality Pakistan attack. Yet Protean did not die wondering. Malan (70), Verrennne (62) and Phehlukwayo (54) caused Pakistan sweat. But in the end Pakistan won in style.
Asked to bat first Pakistan against depleted South African attack made a very fluent start. Two quality opening batsman on a slow gripping wicket set up a great foundation of 112 in the first wicket before Imam trying to play Maharaj out of park was caught in the deep after scoring polished 57 in 73 deliveries. This brought in Babar Azam joining Fakhar. Keeping the momentum going this pair added another 94. While Fakhar was muscling the ball, Babar was a sheer class. Fakhar scored back-to-back century in three days after his brilliant 193 for a lost cause in the second ODI. When they were batting commentators were talking about 350. But possibly Fakhar’s brain freezed a bit after getting to his century. He tried to manufacture a shot off the bowling of the bowler of the day Maharaj. That premeditated slap shot that stage was not necessary. Anyway his 101 in only 104 deliveries was the corner stone of Pakistan batting. The two innings that he played is an answer to those who raised questions about his inclusion in the team. But his fall of wicket brought a mini collapse in Pakistan middle order.
Rizwan, Sarfaraz, Fahim and Nawaz came in and went out. Within the space of 10 overs adding only 51 runs. South African bowlers bowled tight and smart. But Pakistani batsmen rather played to their tune gifting away the wickets. Babar was watching all these from the other end. Suddenly the thoughts of scoring even 300 appeared a bit of a challenge. Hasan Ali recovering from a bout with Corona in his return to the team celebrated punching deadly blows to protean bowlers. His 11 ball 32 with four massive sixes and a four made his captain also racing to 94 in no time. He almost reached another 100 being caught in the deep for 94 in the last ball of the innings. The 7th wicket pair added 63 runs in the last 24 deliveries.
Spinners bowling 9 of the 10 overs at the death must be a new record. With Rabada, Nortze and Ngidi all released for joining their IPL franchise South Africa had no option but trying some fringe players. However, Markram (2/48) and Maharaj (3/45) bowling exceedingly well against free-flowing Pakistani batsmen. But Hasan Ali and Babar did the damage in the last 4 overs. South Africa appeared with almost a brand-new unit leaving as many as 6 main team players Quinton de Cock, David Miller, H van der Dussen, Luigi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada and Nortje for IPL 2019 duty. Still the team competed well. Once they dislodged Fakhar Zaman after his power packed century for a while they wrested the initiative bowling and fielding well. But Babar Azam and Hasan Ali took the match away from them.
South Africa in reply had nothing to loose. None expected that the fresher would manfully challenge the steep target. Yet good start and some excellent partnership kept them in the hunt till they reached 6/248 by the 44th over. Pakistan had so many bowling options. Shahin Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf bowled at pace and also varied pace. Usman Qadir son of legendary Abdul Qadir tweaked his leg spin, Newaz bowled well. Yet good Innings of Malan (70) at the top, Verrenne (62) in the middle order and Phehlukwayo (54) at late middle order almost turned the table on Pakistan. It was great witnessing South Africa go down fighting. This match showed a very resourceful pipeline of South African cricket.
For Pakistan Babar once again demonstrated what an amazing batsman he is . How wonderfully he paced his innings. Many raised eye brows when Fakhar Zaman was peaked for the tour. Playing two excellent innings 193 in the second ODI and 101 yesterday he silenced his critics. It was an excellent series between two evenly matched teams. This win will do world of good for Pakistan cricket. But Pakistan needs a couple of good middle order batsmen to go with top order and quality bowling attack.
BDST: 1253 HRS, APR 08, 2021
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