Pakistan (329) defeat South Africa (248) by 81 runs to clinch the 3-match ODI series by an unassailable lead of 2-0

[khyberlion]

And if they do a 6 here and there it is 500. And if they do a 4 AND a six here and there it is 600!
Seems like some people are getting introduced to cricket and math at the same time

A no ball with free hits and extras all of a sudden you are looking at 650.

 

[Markhor]

Proud of the players. They put up with so much nonsense from PCB that I'm surprised with the constant turmoil how we even remain a competitive international team.

To beat Australia and South Africa away in consecutive ODI series is a solid achievement, and exactly the form you want going into an ICC event.

 

[ads101]

Great ODI series win. T20s were disappointing though.

Saim has done really well, and was the only batsman who came away from both ODI and t20 series well. Now he’s got those early successes, things should fall in to place, he’ll feed off that confidence. Kamran and Salman have done well here too in the ODI series. Salman really should be doing better in t20s, there’s just no way you can consistently perform in Odis middle order like this but be absolutely useless in t20s. Not saying he is not necessarily going to be good enough in t20s, but I really don’t think he is anywhere near as bad as he showed in the t20 series.

Still not convinced by Babar and Rizwan. I don’t think they look in good touch, and you can see them struggling early at the crease. Even though their innings today were better. Babar has been struggling for a few years now, but Rizwan has been poor for 2024 in LOI.

 

[Slim]

Mohammad Rizwan in a post match ceremony:

"It was a fantastic team effort with everyone performing exceptionally well. As a captain, it’s always a great feeling to see such a performance."

"Saim Ayub’s positive start gave us a solid foundation so Babar and I decided to play a bit slower and consolidate the innings. However Kamran Ghulam's innings really boosted us and took the game away from South Africa. Initially we were aiming for a target around 300 but his knock helped us reach a 320+ total."

"As a skipper I had faith in Kamran Ghulam but I didn’t expect him to play like he did tonight. I’ve played with him in the same region KPK and Peshawar but he showed a completely different side of his game today. He’s a bright prospect for Pakistan. Abrar and Shaheen were spot-on with their bowling and Haris supported them excellently which played a key role in helping us win the game."

Very good comments from rizzler the symond

 

[Slim]

I have to say, i am actually enjoying Pakistan cricket after a long long time. It started off with the English test series. Then the Australia ODI series and now the current one with SA. The SA one has been fiercely fought from both sides - epitome of quality ODI cricket. The guy in my Avatar has a huge contribution to this. Thankyou Aqib chad bhai.

 

[Slim]

Proud of the players. They put up with so much nonsense from PCB that I'm surprised with the constant turmoil how we even remain a competitive international team.

To beat Australia and South Africa away in consecutive ODI series is a solid achievement, and exactly the form you want going into an ICC event.

I dont think PCB’s current setup has done much negative, i would say Mohsin’s Roman Abramovich Chelsea approach has fixed our fortunes. The constant changes might sound chaotic but it shows hes not willing to stick with the status quo. I like this approach as a chelsea fan as well haha, silverware coming inshaAllah.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Gotta say that Abrar dismissal of Zorzi is awesome. Looked nearly identical to the wicket he got vs Stokes on his epic debut vs England.

Seems like a real team win. A lot of players contributed. Bit surprised Kamran was able to play the innings he did. Didn't think he had it in him tbh and it was surprising to see him hit that many sixes and look decent vs pace. Looking like a set team, they know the pace attack of the team, Abrar has become that main go to spinner, Agha/Saim as that 5th bowler. If it's a pacer friendly wicket, maybe you go with a 4th seamer (Hasnain/Jamal etc) like we saw in Australia but other, 3 pacers + Abrar. Get Fakhar in over Abdullah and it looks like a very solid & balanced team.

 

[Abdullah]

Yes.

Pakistan has bowled really well so far too.

It wast a 330 wicket. Pak batted very well and Babar and Rizwan set a very good platform. I didn't expect the other to capitalise like they did!

 

[Buffet]

Great game by Pakistan here. A convincing win.

 

[MMHS]

Lets see the attitude of the seam bowlers, often with such a cushion they start bowling short & wide

There is definitely a change (read improvement) in PAK bowling - I think, for three reasons mostly.

1 - pacers are much fitter now. For last 2/3 years, don't think Shaheen/Naseem were ever full fit, they were playing lots of random cricket, hiding minor injuries like pulled muscle, strained groin, stiff ankles..... injuries that won't force you out of the game but you can carry on at compromised capacity. Both seems much fitter & stronger now. Besides, I think SSA has refocused on bowling rather than trying to be an "all-rounder", to increase his auction value for PLs & SLs and T10s...

2. Abrar is a massive upgrade - a genuine leggi in middle overs and he has taken key wickets between Over 11 to 40.

3. Rizwan's captaincy - he is encouraging strike bowlers to go after batsmen and supporting them with field positioning.

 

[shamaan]

South Africa got taught a lesson.

 

[shamaan]

Wasnt posters saying South Africa will score 400

 

[Farabi]

SA in order to win trophy they are experimenting a lot at home which is fine. But experiment has to have a method. Your replacement has to be like for like. Cannot randomy replace players.

It’s starting to feel like Pakistan can never beat any team because the opposition is playing B team or “experimenting”. But India seems to always beat the best team.

This felt like their best available team to me apart from those injured (Maharaj, Coetzee, and Nortje) or those benched for rotation (Rabada). On the other hand, Pakistan is also missing its two best performing players from recent 2023 World Cup Fakhar and Wasim Jr due to fitness issues. Pakistan is also testing new openers, Middle Oder and spinners.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It’s starting to feel like Pakistan can never beat any team because the opposition is playing B team or “experimenting”. But India seems to always beat the best team.

This felt like their best available team to me apart from those injured (Maharaj, Coetzee, and Nortje) or those benched for rotation (Rabada). On the other hand, Pakistan is also missing its two best performing players from recent 2023 World Cup Fakhar and Wasim Jr due to fitness issues. Pakistan is also testing new openers, Middle Oder and spinners.

Don't shoot the messenger. I am merely pharapharsing what Pommie said. . He said "It is fine to rotate bowlers. Rabada, Coetze (injured), Burger (injured), Maharaj (injured), Nortje (injured) but batsman like Stubbs should be playing every match as he hasn't played many ODIs". If you are going to send Jansen at7 as a batsman that is a super light weight batting unit given that they open with Bavuma who is unfit for shorter formats.

 

[Farabi]

Don't shoot the messenger. I am merely pharapharsing what Pommie said. . He said "It is fine to rotate bowlers. Rabada, Coetze (injured), Burger (injured), Maharaj (injured), Nortje (injured) but batsman like Stubbs should be playing every match as he hasn't played many ODIs". If you are going to send Jansen at7 as a batsman that is a super light weight batting unit given that they open with Bavuma who is unfit for shorter formats.

Rabada is the only meaningful miss in that list who could have made a difference. The rest are establishing themselves at this level with 5, 10, 15 ODI games

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan was clinical in 2nd ODI. Dominated from beginning till end.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rabada is the only meaningful miss in that list who could have made a difference. The rest are establishing themselves at this level with 5, 10, 15 ODI games

Maharaj, coetze,Ngidi, Rabada 4 out of top 5 wicker takers for last 2 years. Lizard Williams too in the last 12 months.

 

[mesmerizer85]

Babar and Rizwan rescue job saved Pakistan and provided the platform for Ghulam and co.

Without their partnership, Pakistan would have been dismissed for 250-260 and would have lost.

@Mamoon What are your thoughts on the addition of Saim and KG in PCT now that we have won in AUS and SA?

 

[mesmerizer85]

@Mamoon What are your thoughts on the addition of Saim and KG in PCT now that we have won in AUS and SA?

Also the change in team performance we are seeing post Captaincy changes?

 

[Bhaijaan]

Pleasantly surprised to see great knock from Kamran Ghulab to win the match for Pakistan supported by a very expected another great spell of bowling from Shaheen Afridi.

2-0
Great stuff for Pakistan who have won two back to back series in both Australia and South Africa. This is a terrific achievement for them.

Pakistan is well and truly back. This could be a great resurgence story.

 

[Farabi]

Maharaj, coetze,Ngidi, Rabada 4 out of top 5 wicker takers for last 2 years. Lizard Williams too in the last 12 months.

They may be the “top wicket taker” for South Africa but they cannot be considered world class from any angle after playing 5, 10, 15 games each.
There are 10 spinners in Pakistan domestic like Maharaj.
The 2 players that were a miss from both sides are Rabada and Fakhar. That’s it.

 

[BouncerGuy]

WHat a win this is for Pakistan. Brilliant all-round performance but I want to give credit to batters more. They set up the game firsthand. Saffers were not expecting that Pakistan will go beyond 270-280 but Kmran ghulam had other plans. Clean hitting from him.

 

[Kianig89]

Excellent another series win ensures Australian result was no fluke, feels even better that Riz haters will be having chills.

 

[Smbhayi]

There are 10 spinners in Pakistan domestic like Maharaj.

Lol then why they forced Imam out of retirement for wt20?

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Pakistan will still be considered reserves bashers until they can consistently beat first xis