In the second One-Day International between Pakistan and South Africa, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman lit up the Wanderers in Johannesburg, almost single-handedly bringing Pakistan past the Proteas’ total of 341 runs. He also set a couple of world records in the process.
After Babar Azam won the toss, South Africa batted first, and unlike the first ODI, the Temba Bavuma-led side took it to the opposition from the first ball. Quinton de Kock (80) and Aiden Markram (39) each contributed 55 runs to the total. Then Temba Bavuma (92) and Rassie van der Dussen (60 in 37 balls with 4 sixes and 6 fours), as well as David Miller (50* in 27 balls), helped the Proteas post a strong score of 341/6.
The Pakistani innings were diametrically opposed to their results in the previous match. After Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for 5 runs, Zaman and Babar Azam attempted to establish a partnership, but Anrich Nortje snuffed out Pakistan’s chances with three fast wickets: Babar Azam for 31, Mohammad Rizwan for 0, and Danish Aziz for 9 runs.
Fakhar, on the other hand, didn’t give up hope and repeatedly hit left-arm chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi for sixes. He seemed to be capable of leading Pakistan to victory on his own if anyone had stayed with him on the other end. Fakhar also seemed to be on his way to becoming just the second batsman in ODI cricket history to score two double-centuries.
