Shaheen Afridi Shines as Pakistan Seal ODI Series with 81-Run Victory at Newlands
Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a scintillating display of seam bowling as Pakistan secured an emphatic 81-run victory over South Africa in the second ODI at Newlands on Thursday, clinching the three-match series with a game to spare. The visitors now lead the series 2-0, with the final match set to take place in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Commanding Total
South Africa’s decision to field first on a venue notoriously difficult for chasing under lights backfired, as Pakistan capitalized on the conditions to post a challenging total of 329 all out.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with a composed 80 off 82 balls, while Kamran Ghulam provided the late fireworks with a blistering 63 off just 32 deliveries, showcasing his powerful hitting. Babar Azam contributed a steady 73 from 95 balls, building the foundation for Pakistan’s innings. The visitors also benefited from South Africa’s poor fielding, with multiple dropped catches and an inconsistent bowling performance aiding their cause.
Eighteen-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka was a rare bright spot for the South African bowling attack, claiming figures of 4-72 in his 10 overs. However, the rest of the bowlers struggled to maintain pressure on the Pakistani batters.
South Africa’s Struggle in the Chase
In response, South Africa fell well short, bowled out for 248 in 43.1 overs. Heinrich Klaasen provided a lone stand of resistance with a valiant 97 off 74 balls, but he lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup. The Proteas lost wickets at regular intervals, with no other batter able to convert their starts into significant contributions.
Shaheen Afridi was the standout performer with the ball, demonstrating exceptional control and precision to dismantle the South African middle order. He finished with figures of 4-47, including the crucial wicket of David Miller, who scored 29 before falling to Afridi’s brilliance.
Pakistan’s Comprehensive Performance
The match highlighted Pakistan’s dominance across all departments. Their disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and strategic batting eclipsed South Africa’s efforts. The visitors will head to Johannesburg with their confidence soaring as they aim for a clean sweep in the series.
South Africa, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and address their inconsistencies if they hope to salvage some pride in the final match.
