Phehlukwayo stars with bat and ball, Proteas level series

Durban, January 22

South Africa beat Pakistan in the second ODI to level their five-match series as unbeaten half-centuries from Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo guided the hosts to a five-wicket victory here today. Tailender Hasan Ali’s quickfire 59 dragged Pakistan to a total of 203 but, despite a top-order collapse, the Proteas levelled the series. 

For Pakistan, a total over 200 looked highly improbable when Hasan came in to bat at No. 10, with the side reeling at 112/8. He hit a career-best 59 off 45 balls, with five fours and three sixes, sharing a ninth-wicket stand of 90 with captain Sarfraz Ahmed (41).

South Africa, beaten by five wickets in the first match in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, sent Pakistan in and dominated the early exchanges. Four batsmen succumbed to short-pitched bowling from South Africa’s seam bowlers, while three fell to left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. Medium-pacer Phehlukwayo returned career-best figures of 4/22.

Kagiso Rabada started Pakistan’s slide when he dismissed Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, both caught off mistimed pull shots on a pitch offering steep bounce.

Brief scores: Pakistan: 203 all out in 45.5 overs (Hasan Ali 59, Sarfraz 41; Phehlukwayo 4/22, Shamsi 3/56); South Africa: 207/5 in 42 overs (HE van der Dussen 80, A Phehlukwayo 69; Shaheen Afridi 3/44, Shadab Khan 2/46)