South Africa defeat Pakistan by 8 wickets to level ODI series

FAISALABAD: Quinton de Kock scored an unbeaten 123 to help South Africa overhaul the target of 270, which Pakistan set, in 41st over as the visitors levelled the three-match one-day international (ODI) series in Faisalabad on Thursday.

It was de Kock’s 21st hundred in 156 ODIs that he has played with seven unbeaten innings. He hit 7 sixes and 8 fours in the 119-ball knock.

He was ably assisted by Tony de Zorzi who smashed 76 of 63 balls with 3 sixes and 9 fours.

The two had 153-run partnership which ended when Saim Ayub caught Zorzi at point 35th over. Faheem Ashraf was the bowler.

Meanwhile, the Proteas’ aggressive approach can be gauged by the fact that all the four batsmen coming to the crease had a 100+ strike rate.

It was in complete contrast to what the crowd witnessed at the Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad — which is hosting international cricket after a lapse of 17 years — when Pakistan were batting.

Earlier, Lhuan-dre Gilbert Pretorius scored 46 of 40 balls as he opened the run chase with de Kock. Pretorius was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan as medium pacer Mohammad Wasim provided the breakthrough on the fifth ball of the 12th over.

RESTRICTED TO 269

The first half of the day and night match saw Nandre Burger bagging four for 46 in his allotted quota of 10 overs — the career-best figures for left arm fast medium bowler.

With Nqabayomzi Peter picking up three wickets for 55 and Corbin Bosch two for 58, Pakistan had only one sizeable partnership — between Saim Ayub Ayub (53) and Salman Agha (69).

The came together after the hosts lost three wickets — including Fakhar Zaman (0), Babar Azam (11) and Rizwan (4) — by 4.5 overs with the total at 23.

Apart from Ayub and Agha, only Mohammad Nawaz (59) offered significant resistance to the South Africans. However, the strike rate wasn’t high enough to post a defendable total in 50 overs.