South Africa Clinch Series with Dominant 10-Wicket Win Over Pakistan
South Africa secured a commanding victory against Pakistan by 10 wickets on the fourth day of the second and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town, wrapping up the series 2-0. Chasing a modest target of 58, the Proteas cruised to the win in just 7.1 overs, thanks to an explosive knock from David Bedingham.
A Clinical Chase
Bedingham, promoted to open in place of the injured Ryan Rickelton, smashed an unbeaten 44 off 30 balls, ensuring South Africa made light work of the target. Rickelton, who scored a double-century in the first innings, was sidelined due to a hamstring strain.
“This result is very satisfying,” South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. “It was good old Test cricket. The pitch offered something early on, but it flattened out later. The lessons from this game will make us a stronger team moving forward.”
Pakistan’s Resistance in Vain
Despite the loss, Pakistan showed grit in their second innings, scoring an impressive 478 after being asked to follow on. Captain Shan Masood led the fightback with a magnificent 145 on a wicket that offered little for bowlers.
The Pakistan innings was marked by moments of resilience but was ultimately undone by disciplined South African bowling and poor shot selection. Kagiso Rabada (3-115) and Keshav Maharaj (3-137) were the pick of the bowlers, consistently chipping away at the wickets.
Key Moments
- Morning Session: Resuming on 213 for one, Pakistan suffered early blows. Marco Jansen dismissed Khurram Shahzad for 18, and Rabada bowled Kamran Ghulam for 28 with a delivery that nipped back off the surface.
- Post-Lunch Surge: The new ball proved pivotal as South Africa dismissed Masood leg-before to 18-year-old pacer Kwena Maphaka, the youngest Test player in South African history. Saud Shakeel was caught at slip off Rabada for 23.
- Lower-Order Resistance: Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Salman Agha (48) offered brief resistance but fell to Maharaj’s clever spin. Aamer Jamal added a brisk 34 before Pakistan were bowled out.
Pakistan’s total of 478 was the highest follow-on score ever by a visiting team in South Africa, showcasing a marked improvement from their first-innings collapse for 194.
South Africa’s Winning Streak
The victory extended South Africa’s Test winning streak to seven matches, their second-best run in history, trailing only a nine-match streak in 2002-03. This stellar form sets them up perfectly for the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in June.
Pakistan Reflects on Missed Opportunities
Masood acknowledged the team’s shortcomings: “We didn’t start well in either innings, and conceding 615 in South Africa’s first innings was a big blow. But the fightback in the second innings was a positive takeaway. We must learn to seize crucial moments.”
Looking Ahead
With their dominant display, South Africa proved their mettle on both batting-friendly and challenging surfaces. As they prepare for the World Test Championship final, their focus will be on maintaining consistency and fine-tuning their performances.
For Pakistan, the series provided a mix of lessons and highlights. Despite the loss, their spirited fightback in the second innings shows promise for the future.
