De Kock Century Powers South Africa to Series-Levelling Win vs Pakistan

FAISALABAD, Pakistan – The three-match ODI series is now perfectly poised! South Africa delivered a masterful performance in the Second ODI at the Iqbal Stadium on Thursday, securing a commanding eight-wicket victory over the home side. The thumping win, spearheaded by an unbeaten century from veteran opener Quinton de Kock and a career-best four-wicket spell from pacer Nandre Burger, levels the highly competitive series at 1-1.

Burger Destroys Top Order as Pakistan Post 269

After Pakistan’s captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and elected to bat, the Proteas’ left-arm speedster Nandre Burger made immediate inroads, tearing through the top order. He dismissed the crucial trio of Fakhar Zaman (0), Babar Azam (11), and Mohammad Rizwan (4) cheaply, leaving the Green Shirts reeling at a perilous 22/3 inside five overs.

A gritty partnership was required, and it came from the bat of opener Saim Ayub and the reliable Salman Ali Agha. The pair stabilized the innings with a determined 92-run stand for the fourth wicket. Ayub eventually fell to Corbin Bosch for a notable 53 (66).

Agha, who top-scored for the hosts with a gutsy 69 (105), then added another 59 runs with Mohammad Nawaz, showcasing resilience on a tricky surface. Nawaz provided the late onslaught, smashing a run-a-ball 59 to help Pakistan reach a challenging total of 269/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Burger was the pick of the South African bowlers, finishing with phenomenal figures of 4/46 in his 10 overs, ably supported by Nqabayomzi Peter’s three wickets and Bosch’s two scalps.

Key Pakistan Batting	Runs (Balls)	Wickets Taken (Bowler)
Salman Ali Agha (Top Scorer)	69 (105)	Nandre Burger (4/46)
Mohammad Nawaz (Late Charge)	59 (59)	Nqabayomzi Peter (3/47)
Saim Ayub (Stabilizer)	53 (66)	Corbin Bosch (2/55)

De Kock and De Zorzi Cruise to Victory

Chasing 270, the South African openers immediately signaled their intent. Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius provided a brisk 81-run start, essentially eliminating any early pressure from the target. Pretorius (46 off 40) fell to Mohammad Wasim Jr, but this only brought Tony de Zorzi to the crease.

De Zorzi joined de Kock in a match-defining, explosive 153-run partnership for the second wicket, shifting the momentum entirely in South Africa’s favour. De Zorzi was particularly fluent, scoring a brisk 76 off just 63 deliveries.

Quinton de Kock was the anchor, carrying his bat for a masterful, unbeaten 123 off 119 balls. This stellar knock—his 18th ODI century—guided the touring side to the target with two wickets down and a remarkable 59 balls to spare. The victory was sealed alongside captain Matthew Breetzke (16*), completing a clinical run-chase that will give the young Proteas squad immense confidence.

The series now moves to a thrilling conclusion at the same venue. The deciding Third and Final ODI will be played at the Iqbal Stadium on Saturday.

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Khalid Javed

Khalid Javed is known as Khalid Minhas is editor of Daily Olympic.He is a seasoned journalist and worked with different national and international media outlets.