Pakistan vs South Africa: A Historic 3-0 Sweep

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
c †Klaasen b Bosch 101 94 150 13 2 107.44
c Markram b Rabada 0 1 1 0 0 0.00
c Miller b Maphaka 52 71 95 7 0 73.23
c Rabada b Fortuin 53 52 65 5 1 101.92
c Bavuma b Fortuin 0 1 2 0 0 0.00
c van der Dussen b Rabada 48 33 49 3 2 145.45
c & b Jansen 28 24 42 2 1 116.66
c van der Dussen b Rabada 0 1 1 0 0 0.00
not out 5 2 6 1 0 250.00
c Miller b Jansen 4 2 2 1 0 200.00
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
10 0 56 3 5.60 36 9 0 1 0
9 0 58 2 6.44 30 7 1 3 0
6 1 50 1 8.33 19 6 1 5 0
9 0 69 1 7.66 21 4 3 5 0
10 0 56 2 5.60 26 4 1 1 0
3 0 17 0 5.66 7 2 0 0 0
South Africa  (T: 308 runs from 47 overs)
Batting R B M 4s 6s SR
c & b Shaheen Shah Afridi 26 23 32 2 2 113.04
c Saim Ayub b Naseem Shah 8 6 15 2 0 133.33
lbw b Mohammad Hasnain 35 52 73 4 1 67.30
c Kamran Ghulam b Sufiyan Muqeem 19 27 36 3 0 70.37
c Tayyab Tahir b Shaheen Shah Afridi 81 43 60 12 2 188.37
c †Mohammad Rizwan b Saim Ayub 3 6 4 0 0 50.00
c Saim Ayub b Sufiyan Muqeem 26 22 49 2 2 118.18
not out 40 44 59 5 0 90.90
c Abdullah Shafique b Naseem Shah 8 16 24 0 1 50.00
lbw b Sufiyan Muqeem 14 13 16 1 1 107.69
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
7 1 70 2 10.00 24 8 5 3 0
9 0 63 2 7.00 26 8 1 1 0
7 1 41 1 5.85 21 6 0 1 0
10 1 34 1 3.40 37 1 1 1 0
8 1 52 4 6.50 26 8 1 0 1
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.

watch the highlights of this match click here

For more about this series matches click here

Leave a Comment