Pakistan vs South Africa, The Pakistan cricket team’s tour of South Africa in 2024-25 will forever be etched in cricketing history. Their resounding 3-0 sweep in the ODI series showcased a blend of youthful exuberance, seasoned experience, and unwavering determination. This comprehensive victory not only reaffirmed Pakistan’s status as a cricketing powerhouse but also sent a strong message to the rest of the cricketing world.
The Build-up: A Series of Firsts
The series was anticipated with a mix of excitement and apprehension. It was Pakistan’s first bilateral ODI series in South Africa in over a decade, and the Proteas were eager to prove their dominance at home. However, the visitors arrived with a youthful squad brimming with talent and a hunger to succeed.
The First ODI: A Statement of Intent
The first ODI in Bloemfontein set the tone for the series. Pakistan, batting first, posted a formidable total of 308, thanks to centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The South African chase never truly materialized, and Pakistan cruised to a comfortable victory. This win instilled belief in the team and sent a clear message to the hosts.
The Second ODI: A Test of Resilience
The second ODI in Durban was a different story. South Africa, buoyed by home support, put up a strong fight. However, Pakistan’s resilience shone through. A late surge from Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali helped restrict the hosts to a manageable total. In reply, Pakistan’s top order fired, and they chased down the target with relative ease. This victory demonstrated the team’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges.
The Third ODI: A Historic Sweep
The final ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg was a fitting climax to the series. Pakistan, batting first, posted a competitive total of 308, with Saim Ayub and Babar Azam contributing crucial knocks. The South African chase was derailed by some brilliant bowling from Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Pakistan held their nerve and secured a historic 36-run victory, completing a clean sweep.
Scorecard of Pakistan vs South Africa 3rd ODI
Pakistan (47 overs maximum)
Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saim Ayub
|
c †Klaasen b Bosch | 101 | 94 | 150 | 13 | 2 | 107.44 | ||
Abdullah Shafique
|
c Markram b Rabada | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Babar Azam
|
c Miller b Maphaka | 52 | 71 | 95 | 7 | 0 | 73.23 | ||
Mohammad Rizwan (c)†
|
c Rabada b Fortuin | 53 | 52 | 65 | 5 | 1 | 101.92 | ||
Kamran Ghulam
|
c Bavuma b Fortuin | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Salman Agha
|
c van der Dussen b Rabada | 48 | 33 | 49 | 3 | 2 | 145.45 | ||
Tayyab Tahir
|
c & b Jansen | 28 | 24 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 116.66 | ||
Shaheen Shah Afridi
|
c van der Dussen b Rabada | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Naseem Shah
|
not out | 5 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 250.00 | ||
Mohammad Hasnain
|
c Miller b Jansen | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 | ||
Sufiyan Muqeem
|
not out | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Extras | (b 1, lb 1, w 15) | 17 | |||||||
Total |
47 Ov (RR: 6.55)
|
308/9 | |||||||
Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Abdullah Shafique, 0.2 ov), 2-115 (Babar Azam, 22.3 ov), 3-208 (Saim Ayub, 34.6 ov), 4-209 (Kamran Ghulam, 35.3 ov), 5-223 (Mohammad Rizwan, 37.6 ov), 6-297 (Salman Agha, 45.5 ov), 7-297 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 45.6 ov), 8-298 (Tayyab Tahir, 46.1 ov), 9-302 (Mohammad Hasnain, 46.3 ov) • DRS
|
Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kagiso Rabada
|
10 | 0 | 56 | 3 | 5.60 | 36 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Marco Jansen
|
9 | 0 | 58 | 2 | 6.44 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Kwena Maphaka
|
6 | 1 | 50 | 1 | 8.33 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
Corbin Bosch
|
9 | 0 | 69 | 1 | 7.66 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Bjorn Fortuin
|
10 | 0 | 56 | 2 | 5.60 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Aiden Markram
|
3 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 5.66 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tony de Zorzi
|
c & b Shaheen Shah Afridi | 26 | 23 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 113.04 | ||
Temba Bavuma (c)
|
c Saim Ayub b Naseem Shah | 8 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 133.33 | ||
Rassie van der Dussen
|
lbw b Mohammad Hasnain | 35 | 52 | 73 | 4 | 1 | 67.30 | ||
Aiden Markram
|
c Kamran Ghulam b Sufiyan Muqeem | 19 | 27 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 70.37 | ||
Heinrich Klaasen †
|
c Tayyab Tahir b Shaheen Shah Afridi | 81 | 43 | 60 | 12 | 2 | 188.37 | ||
David Miller
|
c †Mohammad Rizwan b Saim Ayub | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | ||
Marco Jansen
|
c Saim Ayub b Sufiyan Muqeem | 26 | 22 | 49 | 2 | 2 | 118.18 | ||
Corbin Bosch
|
not out | 40 | 44 | 59 | 5 | 0 | 90.90 | ||
Bjorn Fortuin
|
c Abdullah Shafique b Naseem Shah | 8 | 16 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 50.00 | ||
Kagiso Rabada
|
lbw b Sufiyan Muqeem | 14 | 13 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 107.69 | ||
Kwena Maphaka
|
b Sufiyan Muqeem | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Extras | (lb 4, nb 1, w 6) | 11 | |||||||
Total |
42 Ov (RR: 6.45)
|
271 | |||||||
Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Temba Bavuma, 3.2 ov), 2-44 (Tony de Zorzi, 6.3 ov), 3-80 (Aiden Markram, 15.1 ov), 4-120 (Rassie van der Dussen, 19.5 ov), 5-123 (David Miller, 20.5 ov), 6-194 (Heinrich Klaasen, 28.4 ov), 7-212 (Marco Jansen, 31.6 ov), 8-250 (Bjorn Fortuin, 38.2 ov), 9-271 (Kagiso Rabada, 41.5 ov), 10-271 (Kwena Maphaka, 41.6 ov) • DRS
|
Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shaheen Shah Afridi
|
7 | 1 | 70 | 2 | 10.00 | 24 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
Naseem Shah
|
9 | 0 | 63 | 2 | 7.00 | 26 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Mohammad Hasnain
|
7 | 1 | 41 | 1 | 5.85 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Saim Ayub
|
10 | 1 | 34 | 1 | 3.40 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Sufiyan Muqeem
|
8 | 1 | 52 | 4 | 6.50 | 26 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Salman Agha
|
1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Key Factors Behind Pakistan’s Success
Several factors contributed to Pakistan’s remarkable success in the series.
- Youthful exuberance: The team’s youthful energy was palpable throughout the series. Players like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Shaheen Afridi played with fearless abandon, injecting a much-needed dose of dynamism into the side.
- Experienced leadership: The presence of seasoned campaigners like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan provided stability and guidance to the younger players. Their leadership on and off the field was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Balanced bowling attack: Pakistan’s bowling attack was a force to be reckoned with. Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf formed a formidable pace trio, while the spinners provided crucial breakthroughs.
- Adaptability: The team demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to different conditions and situations. They showed resilience in the face of adversity and never allowed the pressure to get to them.
A New Era for Pakistan Cricket
The 3-0 sweep in South Africa marked a new era for Pakistan cricket. It showcased the team’s potential and provided a glimpse into the future. With a talented pool of young players and experienced leaders, Pakistan is poised to achieve great things in the years to come.
Conclusion Pakistan vs South Africa: A Historic 3-0 Sweep
The Pakistan vs South Africa ODI series will be remembered as a landmark event in the history of Pakistan cricket. The team’s dominant performance not only silenced the critics but also instilled a renewed sense of optimism among the fans. This victory is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of the players and coaching staff. As Pakistan looks ahead to the future, this series will serve as a source of inspiration and motivation.