SA vs PAK 2024/25, South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd ODI, Cape Town Match Report, 19 December 2024

On By Littum

49.5 trans Pakistan 329 (Rizwan 80, Babar 73, Ghulam 63, Maphaka 4-72) vs. South Africa

Babar Azam scored his maiden half-century in 22 innings across formats in internationals, combining with his old friend Mohammad Rizwan in a 115-run third wicket partnership as Pakistan set South Africa an impressive 330 to chase. However, that figure never looked that steep when the two struck, only ballooning to that size thanks to a blistering late storm from Kamran Ghulam, who hit 63 off 32 balls. South Africa fell away sharply with their lines as well as in the field as Pakistan plundered 128 off the last 12 overs to give themselves a golden chance to win the series at the earliest opportunity.
The returning Temba Bavuma had opted to bat first on a picture-perfect day at Newlands and South Africa got off to a similarly dreamy start when Marco Jansen bowled Abdullah Shafique for a second successive duck. But South Africa didn’t really get going until Saim Ayub was removed at the end of the powerplay, hitting a wide one off debutant Kwena Maphaka, finding Rassie van der Dussen well placed at deep third.

Pakistan’s level of urgency dropped immediately, with Babar and Rizwan opting for the more classic pace that comes so naturally to them. Both tried to work their way back into the runs and with South Africa happy to stifle the run-scoring than go for wickets, for a while it looked like the game was going into an innings where each side got what they wanted. .

There were still moments of belligerence, such as when Rizwan smeared Aiden Markram over the cow corner for six and Babar milked the spinners for the occasional boundary. But the scoring rate was hovering steadily between 4.75 and 5.1 and it was clear that Pakistan were trailing the innings.

Babar had gone past 50 and looked to be heading for the elusive hundred, but then he hit Andile Phehlukwayo straight to Markram at short midwicket, which almost held on after it thumped into his chest. Maphaka got rid of Rizwan with a nice diving return catch and South Africa suddenly gained momentum.

But Ghulam appreciated such performances. Along with Salman Agha, who punished some errant South African bowling, Ghulam demonstrated his worth as a lower-order power hitter, making excellent use of his lower hand as he smashed five sixes in a whirlwind of a knock. The half-century came up in just 25 deliveries, with both pace and spin taken to task. Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were good value for the odd six from the other end, but until he struck out to Maphaka in the last over, the late charge was largely down to Ghulam. In about three hours’ time, these back-end runs may well turn out to be serially sealed.