2nd ODI: South Africa defeat Pakistan by 8 wickets 

Faisalabad (Web Desk): South Africa cruised to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second One-Day International at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on Thursday, producing a powerful batting display that leveled the three-match series at 1-1.

Chasing a target of 270, the visitors made it look effortless, reaching the mark with 59 balls remaining and only two wickets down.

The South African openers provided a flying start as Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock compiled an 81-run stand that quickly put Pakistan under pressure. Pretorius looked in fine touch, scoring 46 off 40 balls with seven boundaries and a six before Mohammad Wasim Jr struck in the 12th over to break the opening partnership.

Following Pretorius’s departure, Tony de Zorzi joined de Kock and the pair consolidated the innings with a dominant 153-run partnership for the second wicket, steering South Africa firmly towards victory. De Zorzi fell to Faheem Ashraf after an attacking 76 off 63 deliveries that included nine fours and three sixes.

De Kock remained the cornerstone of the chase, crafting an unbeaten 123 from 119 balls, striking eight boundaries and seven sixes in a commanding display. Skipper Matthew Breetzke supported him with 16 not out off 20 balls as South Africa comfortably sealed the win.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 269 for nine in their allotted overs after electing to bat first, recovering from a top-order collapse thanks to key middle- and lower-order contributions. Left-arm pacer Nandre Burger ripped through Pakistan’s frontline, dismissing Fakhar Zaman for a duck, Babar Azam for 11, and Mohammad Rizwan for just 4, reducing the hosts to 22 for three inside five overs.

Saim Ayub and Agha Salman then launched a recovery, putting on a 92-run partnership for the fourth wicket to stabilize the innings. The stand ended in the 25th over when Corbin Bosch removed Saim for a well-crafted 53 from 66 balls. Soon after, Hussain Talat’s brief stay ended on 10, undone by Nqabayomzi Peter in the 30th over.

Agha continued to anchor the innings, adding 59 runs for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Nawaz before Bosch dismissed him for 69 off 105 balls. Nawaz then took charge, playing a brisk knock of 59 from 59 deliveries, laced with four sixes and three fours, before falling to Peter on the penultimate ball of the innings.

Faheem Ashraf added late fireworks with an 18-ball 28, helping Pakistan cross 260. Among the bowlers, Burger stood out with figures of four for 46, while Peter bagged three wickets and Bosch took two.

The emphatic result sets up an exciting series decider at the same venue on Saturday, with Pakistan seeking redemption after a heavy defeat and South Africa looking to carry their momentum into the final clash.