Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi sizzled with the ball as the team claimed their One-Day International series against South Africa following a comprehensive 81-run victory at Newlands on Thursday. 

South Africa opted to bowl first after winning the toss in a game the hosts had to win to stay alive in the three-match series.

Player of the Match Kamran Ghulam for 63 off 32 balls. Photo: Facebook

South Africa made four changes to the team that lost to Pakistan in the first ODI at Boland Park on Tuesday night. Temba Bavuma returned to skipper the side, with David Miller also returning. 

Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka made his ODI debut and Bjorn Fortuin came into the side to replace the injured Keshav Maharaj. Ryan Rickleton and Kagiso Rabada were rested, while Tristan Stubbs also missed out.

Babar Azam (73) and Mohammad Rizwan (80) got off to an excellent start and put on a 115-run partnership to lay a solid platform for the visitors. However, it was a stunning innings by Kamran Ghulam – hitting 63 off 32 balls – that pushed them to 329 all out.  

Kwena Maphaka takes a stunning return catch to dismiss Rizwan. Photo: Facebook

The 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka bowled smartly for 4 for 72, but South Africa dropped a number of catches as things got frantic at the death.

South Africa was left with a mountain to climb on a ground where it is known to be difficult to chase under lights. Heinrich Klaasen provided the only real resistance for South Africa with an excellent 97 from 74 balls but was the last man out as they were dismissed for 248 in 43.1 overs.

Tony de Zorzi (34 off 40) was the only other batsman who could score past the 30 mark. Shaheen Afridi took four wickets for 47 runs and was ably supported by Naseem Shah, who took three for 37, including the wicket of Klaassen.

The third and final ODI will take place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger mvh