When Babar Azam walks onto the field, there’s always a sense of anticipation. And during the second ODI against South Africa at Newlands, the former Pakistan skipper didn’t disappoint. Not only did he break his half-century drought, but he also etched his name into the record books, surpassing none other than MS Dhoni.
Breaking Records and a Drought
Pakistan’s batting maestro scored a solid 73 off 95 balls, laced with seven beautiful boundaries. This wasn’t just another fifty; it was his first since November 2023. To make it sweeter, it was his 33rd in ODIs and his 39th 50+ score against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries across formats.
With this knock, he overtook Dhoni’s tally of 38 such scores. For fans, it was a reminder of why Babar Azam is often touted as one of the best in the modern game. His calmness, technique, and ability to deliver when it matters most were all on display.
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Partnerships That Matter
Babar’s innings wasn’t a solo show. He shared a crucial 115-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, who played a gutsy knock of 80 off 82 balls. Rizwan’s innings featured ten boundaries, including three towering sixes.
While the partnership laid a strong foundation, it was Kamran Ghulam who provided the fireworks. His blistering 63 off just 32 balls, including five sixes and four boundaries, pushed Pakistan’s total to an imposing 329.
South Africa’s Fight and Fall
Chasing 330 is never easy, and South Africa learned that the hard way. Their innings never really found rhythm, thanks to some fiery bowling from Pakistan’s pace duo.
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Shaheen Afridi was at his lethal best, grabbing four wickets, while Naseem Shah chipped in with three crucial scalps. Heinrich Klaasen tried his best to steady the ship, smashing 97 off 74 balls with eight boundaries and four sixes. But it wasn’t enough.
South Africa were bowled out for 248 in just 43.1 overs, handing Pakistan an 81-run victory and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
With the series in the bag, all eyes now turn to Johannesburg for the third ODI on December 22. While it’s a dead rubber, Pakistan will look to make a clean sweep, and South Africa will aim for a consolation win.
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