Quinton de Kock played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 123 runs to guide South Africa to victory against Pakistan in Faisalabad on Thursday. With this win, the Proteas leveled the three-match ODI series, keeping the contest alive ahead of the final game.
South Africa chased down Pakistan’s target of 270 runs in just 41 overs. De Kock, displaying his trademark aggressive style, hit seven sixes and eight fours in his 119-ball innings. This was his 21st century in 156 ODIs, with seven of them being unbeaten.
Tony de Zorzi provided excellent support, scoring 76 off just 63 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Together, de Kock and de Zorzi added 153 runs for the second wicket, taking South Africa well within reach of the target. Their partnership ended in the 35th over when Saim Ayub caught de Zorzi off Faheem Ashraf.
The South African batting lineup showed a clear attacking intent, as all four top-order batsmen maintained strike rates above 100. This aggressive approach was a stark contrast to Pakistan’s cautious batting earlier in the match at the Iqbal Stadium, which hosted international cricket after 17 years.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 269 runs in their innings, thanks to half-centuries from Saim Ayub (53), Salman Agha (69), and Mohammad Nawaz (59). The hosts struggled early, losing Fakhar Zaman (0), Babar Azam (11), and Mohammad Rizwan (4) within the first five overs.
For South Africa, Nandre Burger was the standout bowler with a career-best 4 for 46, while Nqabayomzi Peter picked up three wickets for 55 and Corbin Bosch took two for 58.
With the ODI series now level at 1-1, both teams will head into the final match with everything to play for. Fans can expect another exciting clash as Pakistan aims to reclaim dominance and South Africa looks to clinch the ODI series.
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