Pakistan vs 🇿🇦 South Africa – A Clash of Class and Composure

2nd ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad – November 6, 2025

Cricket returned to Faisalabad with all the intensity you’d expect when two proud nations square off — Pakistan, looking to wrap up the series, and South Africa, desperate to stay alive. The result? A masterclass in controlled aggression from the Proteas, who stormed to victory by eight wickets to level the three-match ODI series 1-1.

🌅 The Setup: Pressure on Both Sides

After Pakistan’s tight win in the first ODI, the momentum looked firmly in their favor. Babar Azam’s men were confident at home, their bowlers in rhythm, and the crowd expectant. But South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, had other ideas. The visitors arrived determined to prove their depth, and what followed was a show of batting excellence, bowling discipline, and smart cricketing awareness.

🏏 First Innings: Pakistan Post 269/9 – A Total of Missed Opportunities

Batting first, Pakistan began solidly but never truly dominated.
Babar Azam looked elegant as ever, crafting a composed half-century, while Fakhar Zaman’s brisk start promised more than it delivered. The middle order chipped in with cameos — Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan provided stability — but South Africa’s bowlers kept things tight throughout.

Nandre Burger was the pick of the lot, taking 4 for 46, his sharp left-arm pace troubling even the best of Pakistan’s batters. Young leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter impressed again, snaring 3 for 55, keeping the run rate in check during the middle overs.

By the end of 50 overs, Pakistan had 269 for 9 — competitive on paper, but perhaps 20–30 runs short on this quick outfield.

⚡ The Chase: Quinton de Kock Leads a Masterclass

When South Africa began their chase, the intent was clear from the first over — they weren’t just looking to win; they wanted to dominate.

Quinton de Kock, in his trademark style, blended patience with power. His timing was sublime, his shot selection fearless. Partnering with Reeza Hendricks, the pair stitched a century stand, blunting Pakistan’s new-ball threat.

De Kock’s unbeaten 123 off 119 balls was vintage — cuts, pulls, drives, and that effortless flick over mid-wicket. Hendricks played the perfect foil with a fluent fifty, while Aiden Markram ensured there were no late nerves, finishing things off in style.

South Africa reached 270/2 in just 40.1 overs, winning by 8 wickets and making the chase look almost effortless.

💥 Turning Points

1. Burger’s burst in the death overs — two wickets in one over stopped Pakistan from crossing 290+.

2. De Kock’s intent early in the chase — attacking Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah neutralized Pakistan’s biggest weapons.

3. Pakistan’s fielding lapses — two dropped catches at crucial moments, including one off de Kock when he was on 75, proved costly.

🧠 Tactical Takeaways

• South Africa’s bowling plans were spot-on: bowl back of a length, mix the pace, and force false shots.

• Pakistan’s middle order continues to rely heavily on Babar and Rizwan — something they’ll need to address before the decider.

• Shaheen Afridi’s form with the new ball remains a concern; he lacked swing and rhythm for most of the innings.

🏁 The Series So Far

With the series now level at 1-1, all roads lead to the third ODI in Lahore, where both sides will fight for the trophy — and bragging rights.

🗣️ Final Thoughts

This game was a reminder that South Africa’s ODI side is quietly building something special — a blend of youth and experience that can challenge any team anywhere. For Pakistan, the loss is a wake-up call: skill alone isn’t enough without consistency and intensity.

As fans, though, we couldn’t ask for more — one last ODI, one final showdown. If the first two matches are any indication, the finale will be nothing short of spectacular.