Tag: Pakistan vs South Africa

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan astonished everyone on Sunday with his presence of mind by taking a spectacular catch to dismiss David Miller during the third ODI of the three-match series against South Africa.

The Green Shirts completed a historic whitewash against South Africa on their home turf with a 36-run win in the third and final ODI at Cape Town’s Wanderers Stadium.

Saim Ayub was the star of the match with a scintillating century, followed by the key wicket of David Miller, who is known for his ability to turn things around with his explosive batting.

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However, the wicket of Miller became the talk of the town due to Rizwan’s brilliance behind the stumps.

On the second-to-last ball of the 21st over, Miller attempted a paddle scoop off Saim’s good-length delivery aimed at the stumps. However, Rizwan had anticipated the shot and quickly slid into a leg-slip position, taking a brilliant catch on his chest.

It’s worth noting that during the first innings, Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan put together a quick third-wicket stand of 93 runs from 75 balls to set up Pakistan’s total of 308-9.

Saim fell prey to debutant Corbin Bosch right after reaching his century, going back with a quick 101-run knock from 94 balls, laced with 15 boundaries that included two sixes.

Rizwan departed soon after playing a 52-ball knock of 53 runs, which featured five boundaries and one six.

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Salman Ali Agha played a quick-fire knock of 48 runs from 33 balls and added a crucial partnership of 74 runs with Tayyab Tahir (28) to provide a finishing touch to Pakistan’s innings.

In response, South Africa, despite a spirited performance, were bundled for 271 runs in 42 overs.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan became the first-ever team to clean-sweep the Proteas in an ODI series in South Africa.

READ: Babar Azam lauds Saim Ayub after series-winning performance against South Africa

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam praised young opener Saim Ayub for his match-winning performance in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

Saim played a stellar quick 101-run knock from 94 balls, laced with 15 boundaries that included two sixes, in the third ODI and helped Pakistan white-wash South Africa.

This was Saim’s second century in the series, earning him the Player of the Series award with a total of 235 runs and two wickets.

After the match, Babar Azam shared a photo of Saim on his Instagram story, referring to him as “Cheetah” in recognition of his outstanding performance.

During the third ODI, Babar Azam and Saim Ayub built a solid partnership of 114 runs from 133 balls for the second wicket to set-up Pakistan’s total of 308-9.

However, Kwena Maphaka broke the stand as he removed Babar, who scored 52 runs from 71 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Saim was joined by skipper Mohammad Rizwan (53) and they increased the scoring rate with their 93-run stand that conceded only 75 balls.

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Rizwan and Saim fell in quick succession but Salman Ali Agha played a quick-fire knock of 48 runs from 33 balls and added a crucial partnership of 74 runs with Tayyab Tahir (28) to provide a finishing touch to Pakistan’s innings.

In response, South Africa, despite a spirited performance, were bundled for 271 runs in 42 overs.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan became the first-ever team to clean-sweep the Proteas in an ODI series in South Africa.

READ: Pakistan batter proposes unique solution to host matches against India

JOHANNESBURG: Saim Ayub smashed a blistering century and debutant Sufiyan Muqeem claimed a four-wicket haul to help Pakistan clinch a thrilling victory against South Africa in the third ODI at The Wanderers Stadium here on Sunday.

Pakistan, under the inspired leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, became the first-ever team to clean-sweep the Proteas in an ODI series in South Africa.

While chasing, South Africa started strongly but ultimately fell short as they bundled for 271 losing the match by 36 runs.

The Proteas faced an early setback with the wicket of captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed after scoring just eight runs, leaving the side reeling at 25-1 in 3.2 overs.

His opening partner Tony de Zorzi started well but he fell prey to a ferocious bouncer from Shaheen Afridi after scoring 26 off 23.

Rassie van der Dussen (35) then knitted two crucial partnerships of 36 and 40 with Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen respectively.

Debutant Sufiyan Muqeem struck with the first ball of his spell, dismissing Markram for 19, while Van der Dussen was removed by Mohammad Hasnain.

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David Miller (3) joined Klaasen but he was quickly dismissed after Mohammad Rizwan took a stunning catch off Saim Ayub.

Klaasen then built a crucial 91-run partnership with Marco Jansen (26) forcing South Africa’s comeback as they took the team’s total to 194.

Klaasen smashed 81 runs from 43 balls with the help of 12 boundaries and two sixes before Shaheen Afridi ended his quick-fire knock.

Debutant Corbin Bosch then played an unbeaten cameo of 40 runs but it was not enough as South Africa were bundled out for 271 in 42 overs.

For Pakistan, Sufiyan Muqeem led the attack with the bowling figures of 4-52, while Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, in a repeat of the second ODI, Pakistan were invited to bat first, and opening batter Abdullah Shafique walked back in the first over, registering his third consecutive duck.

Babar Azam joined Saim Ayub at the crease; however, they had to rush back due to rain, which resulted in the match being reduced to 47 overs per side.

They resumed their innings after the rain break and built a solid partnership of 114 runs from 133 balls, during which they both reached their individual half-centuries.

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However, Kwena Maphaka broke the stand as he removed Babar, who scored 52 runs from 71 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Saim was joined by skipper Mohammad Rizwan and they increased the scoring rate with their 93-run stand that conceded only 75 balls.

Saim fell prey to debutant Corbin Bosch right after reaching his century, going back with a quick 101-run knock from 94 balls, laced with 15 boundaries that included two sixes.

Rizwan departed soon after playing a 52-ball knock of 53 runs, which featured five boundaries and one six.

Salman Ali Agha then played a quick-fire knock of 48 runs from 33 balls and added a crucial partnership of 74 runs with Tayyab Tahir (28) before Kagiso Rabada ended his entertaining knock.

Rabada dismissed Shaheen Afridi on the first ball, which Marco Jansen removed Tayyab and Mohammad Hasnain (4) in the last over to restrict Pakistan to 308-9 in the allocated 47 overs.

Rabada led the wicket with three wickets, while Jansen and Bjorn Fortuin claimed two wickets each. Maphaka and Bosch contributed with one wicket each.

READ: Pakistan batter proposes unique solution to host matches against India

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have won the toss and opted to bowl first in the third ODI against Pakistan at The Wanderers Stadium here on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

The visitors, who currently hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and are aiming for a clean sweep, have made three changes to their Playing XI.

Middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir, fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, and Sufiyan have been brought in to replace Muhammad Irfan Khan, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed, respectively.

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Meanwhile, South Africa have made two changes as they brought in experienced pacer Kagiso Rabada and uncapped Corbin Bosch in place of Andile Phehlukwayo and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Sufiyan Muqeem.

South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada.

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HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and South Africa have played a total of 85 matches, with South Africa leading the head-to-head with 52 victories. Pakistan has won 32 matches, while one match ended without a result.

Matches 84, Pakistan 32, South Africa 52, NR 1

READ: Pakistan batter proposes unique solution to host matches against India

JOHANNESBURG: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the Playing XI for the third ODI against South Africa, featuring uncapped left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.

Pakistan, who currently hold a commanding 2-0 lead and are aiming for a clean sweep, have made three changes to their Playing XI.

Middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir, fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, and Sufiyan have been brought in to replace Muhammad Irfan Khan, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed, respectively.

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Sufiyan’s selection comes on the heels of his impressive performances in the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he made headlines with a remarkable bowling display that included record figures of 5 wickets for just 3 runs.

This impressive achievement has not gone unnoticed and reflects the PCB’s commitment to providing opportunities for emerging talent in the national squad while ensuring a fresh rotation of players.

Abdullah Shafique has managed to retain his spot, despite bagging two ducks in the series so far, and will continue to open the innings alongside the in-form Saim Ayub.

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Babar Azam is positioned at his usual number three spot, while the middle order will feature skipper Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, and the returning Tayyab Tahir.

On the bowling front, Shaheen Shah Afridi is poised to spearhead Pakistan’s pacer attack, supported by Naseem Shah and Hasnain.

Pakistan Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Sufiyan Muqeem.

READ: Pakistan batter proposes unique solution to host matches against India

CAPETOWN: Pakistan batter Babar Azam not only ended his half-century drought but also surpassed former Indian captain MS Dhoni to achieve a coveted milestone during the second ODI against South Africa here on Thursday.

Pakistan thumped the hosts by 81 runs in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 in the three-match series at Newlands.

The visitors posted 329 runs while batting first against South Africa, with Babar Azam scoring 73 runs from 95 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

This was Babar’s 33rd half-century in ODI cricket, but it was his first since November 2023. His last half-century was an unbeaten 66-run knock against New Zealand during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

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With his 33rd half-century, Babar Azam surpassed the record of MS Dhoni for scoring the most 50+ scores against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries across all formats.

Both players were tied on 38 scores of 50 or more against SENA countries, but this half-century took Babar’s tally to 39 such scores.

Notably, Babar formed a solid partnership of 115 runs for the third wicket with Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Andile Phehlukwayo broke the partnership with the wicket of Babar, while Rizwan fell prey to Maphaka after playing a gutsy knock of 80 off 82, which featured ten boundaries, including three sixes.

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Kamran Ghulam then played a blinder of a knock, smashing 63 runs from 32 balls, peppered with five sixes and four boundaries. His innings helped Pakistan post 329 before they were bowled out on the final ball of the innings.

In response, South Africa were bundled out for 248 in 43.1 overs with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah taking four and three wickets respectively.

Heinrich Klaasen waged a lone war for South Africa, hitting 97 runs from 74 balls with the help of eight boundaries and four sixes, but could not take his team across the line.

It’s worth noting that the third ODI is scheduled to be played in Johannesburg on December 22, followed by a two-match Test series, which will start from December 26.

READ: PCB reveals venue of PSL 10 Player Draft

CAPETOWN: Heinrich Klaasen’s stellar 97-run knock went in vain as Pakistan thumped South Africa in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 in the series here on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 330 at Newlands, South Africa were bundled out for 248 in 43.1 overs with Naseem Shah taking the final wicket of Klaasen.

The right-handed batter waged a lone war against a dominant Pakistan bowling attack, hitting 97 runs from 74 balls with the help of eight boundaries and four sixes.

Tony de Zorzi and David Miller played valuable knocks of 34 and 29 respectively, but they were not enough to help South Africa chase a mammoth target.

Shaheen Afridi led the attack for Pakistan with bowling figures of 4-47, while Naseem claimed three wickets. Spin bowlers Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha bagged two and one each respectively.

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Earlier, South Africa invited Pakistan to bat first and drew first blood with the wicket of out-of-form opener Abdullah Shafique (0) in the first over.

Saim Ayub scored 25 runs and constructed a 48-run stand for the second wicket with Babar Azam before becoming the first ODI wicket of debutant Kwena Maphaka.

Babar was joined by captain Mohammad Rizwan and they formed a solid partnership of 115 runs for the third wicket, with both batters scoring their half-centuries.

Andile Phehlukwayo broke the partnership with the wicket of Babar, who departed after scoring 73 runs from 95 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Meanwhile, Rizwan also fell soon afterwards as he fell prey to Maphaka after playing a gutsy knock of 80 off 82, which featured ten boundaries, including three sixes.

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Kamran Ghulam then played a blinder of a knock to boost Pakistan’s scoring rate, smashing 63 runs from 32 balls, peppered with five sixes and four boundaries.

He added partnerships of 50 and 49 with Salman Ali Agha (33) and Irfan Khan (15) respectively before falling in the final over.

Pakistan lost their remaining two wickets and were bundled out for 329 in 50 overs.

Maphaka led the wicket-takers chart for South Africa with four wickets, while Marco Jansen took three wickets. Phehlukwayo and Bjorn Fortuin bagged one wicket each.

READ: ICC confirms hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025, other events in India, Pakistan

CAPETOWN: South Africa have won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan at Newlands here on Thursday.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan have fielded an unchanged side, that won the first ODI by three wickets. However, South Africa have made four changes to their Playing XI.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is back into the line-up, while Kwena Maphaka is set to make his ODI debut.

Bjorn Fortuin, who replaced injured Keshav Maharaj in the squad, has been included in the Playing XI along with explosive middle-order batter David Miller.

Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Ottneil Baartman and Kagiso Rabada have made way for the above-mentioned four players.

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Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf

South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kwena Maphaka, Bjorn Fortuin, Tabraiz Shamsi

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and South Africa have played a total of 84 matches, with South Africa leading the head-to-head with 52 victories. Pakistan has won 31 matches, while one match ended without a result.

Matches 84, Pakistan 31, South Africa 52, NR 1

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It’s worth noting that the third ODI is scheduled to be played in Johannesburg on December 22, followed by a two-match Test series.

The Test series will kick off in Centurion on December 26, while the second and final matches will be played in Cape Town from January 3.

READ: ICC confirms hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025, other events in India, Pakistan

South Africa suffered a major setback ahead of the second ODI against Pakistan, as left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the ongoing series.

Maharaj suffered a groin strain just before the first ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday and was replaced by all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in South Africa’s Playing XI.

Following the injury, Maharaj underwent a series of scans to evaluate the extent of the damage. The results confirmed that he is dealing with a left adductor strain.

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As a precautionary measure, he will be returning to his home in Durban for rehabilitation. His recovery will be closely monitored, and he will undergo a reassessment in preparation for the first Test match against Pakistan.

South Africa have named left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin as a replacement for Keshav Maharaj for the remaining ODIs against Pakistan.

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Notably, the second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa is set to take place in Cape Town today, followed by the third match on December 21 in Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, the two-match Test series will kick off in Centurion on December 26, followed by the second Test in Cape Town, starting from January 3.

South Africa ODI Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

South Africa Test Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)

READ: Saim Ayub breaks Brian Lara’s record during first ODI against South Africa

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday unveiled a strong squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to commence on December 26.

South Africa has included two uncapped players — all-rounder Corbin Bosch alongside teenage pacer Kwena Maphaka, who is part of the white-ball squad against Pakistan.

Bosch, the son of former international cricketer Tertius Bosch, has received his first call-up to represent his country at the international level. He has scored 1295 runs at an average of 40.46 and taken 72 wickets across 34 first-class matches.

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Meanwhile, Maphaka was initially called up to the Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka as a backup for the injured fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, however, he could not get a game.

On the other hand, injured all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and spinner Keshav Maharaj have also been named in the South Africa squad, with the hope of achieving full fitness ahead of the Test series.

Maharaj suffered a groin strain just before the first ODI against Pakistan yesterday. He will undergo a scan later today to assess the severity of the injury.

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Meanwhile, Mulder broke his right middle finger while batting against Sri Lanka in Durban last month and is now in the final phase of his recovery.

The Test series against Pakistan is vital for South Africa as they aim to strengthen their chances for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. Currently, they are sitting at the top of the points table following their clean sweep victory over Sri Lanka.

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and South Africa will kick off in Centurion on December 26, meanwhile, the second Test will start from January 3 in Cape Town.

Squads for South Africa-Pakistan Test series

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha

READ: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub move up, Rizwan drops down in ICC T20I Rankings