South Africa prevailed over Pakistan by 10 wickets in what turned out to be a lopsided second and final test fixture at Newlands, Capetown on Monday (January 6). They chased down the 58-run total under eight overs and helped the Proteas to complete a 2-0 Test series clean sweep.
The visitors started Day 4 on 213/1 and were trailing by 208 runs, with Shan Masood (102*) and Khurram Shahzad (8*) as the overnight batters. The night watchman, Shahzad secured a couple of boundaries to get things going for the visitors. However, Marco Jansen deceived him with a slower ball and got caught at point for 18.
Coming in at No. 5, Kamran Ghulam got a reprieve on a duck, when Tristan Stubbs dropped his catch at the slips. Nevertheless, he was positive with his intent to find the fences on a consistent basis. But, Kagiso Rabada went through the gates of Ghulam (28) with a peach of a delivery and reduced Pakistan to 278/3.
Thereafter, Saud Shakeel joined hands with captain Masood to steer the team carefully, without opting to play risky shots. At Lunch, Pakistan were at 312/3, and needed a big stand to survive in the game.
Proteas prove to be too good for Pakistan
After failing to take wickets with the old ball, South Africa chose to opt for a fresh red cherry. Although, the Pakistani pair were looking solid with their presence, disaster struck when Kagiso Rabada forced Saud Shakeel (23) to play the good-length ball around the fifth stump line. As a result, his edge was caught at the second slip by Aiden Markram.
In the very next over, young pacer, Kwene Maphaka ruffled Shan Masood’s pads with his perfectly executed ball. After the on-field umpire deemed it as not-out, the Proteas took the review and the Hawkeye deemed the ball to be hitting the off stump. The decision was then overturned as Masood made his way back for 145 off 251, with 17 fours.
The pair of Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan were calculative with their approach to keep the scorecard ticking with their odd boundaries. The visitors ended the second session at 398/5 and still trailed by 23 runs.
Just when it was looking that Pakistan are building a solid stand, Rizwan (41) endured a soft dismissal off Keshav Maharaj, as he gave away a catching practice to the fielder stationed at the short cover region. Thereafter, Aamer Jamal came in and started scoring boundaries freely.
However, Maharaj trapped Agha (48) LBW to trigger the end of Pakistan’s innings. Jamal (34) and Mir Hamza (16) were the contributors, as Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 478, securing a lead of 57 runs. Rabada and Maharaj scalped three wickets each for the hosts.
In response, David Bedingham (47* off 30) and Aiden Markram (14* off 13) remained unbeaten as the Proteas chased down the target in just 7.1 overs. Ryan Rickelton was awarded Player of the Match with a sensational knock of 259 in the first innings, while Marco Jansen was awarded Player of the Series with 80 runs and 10 wickets to his name.
