JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – Scintillating Opener Fakhar Zaman 193 wasn’t enough for Pakistan who lost South Africa’s second international day by 17 runs at The Wanderers yesterday as the hosts level the three-match series.
Fakhar was left to do it all alone as Pakistan hit 324 for nine in response to South Africa’s 341 for six, his power hit including 18 fours and 10 sixes for the highest ever score at ODIs in Johannesburg, beating ‘ r 175 by Herschelle Gibbs against Australia in 2006.
It was also the best score by a player visiting South Africa, with the next highest in Pakistan’s innings on Sunday at 31 by captain Babar Azam.
Fakhar’s magnificent 155-ball innings ended in a bizarre fashion when he came home for a second run off the first ball of the final over, but a throw from the fence by Aiden Markram was a direct blow and the batsman’s great chance for a double tons in the 50-over format gone.
The tourists had chosen a field first and South Africa’s impressive total was boosted by four elegant half-centuries, each different in its make-up.
Newly appointed captain Temba Bavuma scored 92 of 102 balls and warmed up to his task as the outfielders wore on, while opener Quinton de Kock looked edgy and had luck in his 80 out of 86 balls.
Rassie van der Dussen, who had a century in the first game at Pretoria on Friday, kept his good form with a powerful 60 of 37 balls that included four sixes, before David Miller finished the inning with 50 not out of 27 balls.
Seamer Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers comfortable with 3-54 of his 10 overs.
The third and final ODI is scheduled for Pretoria on Wednesday but South Africa will be without leading players De Kock, Miller, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje as they enter the Indian Premier League.