Quinton de Kock Destroys Pakistan as South Africa Storm to Series-Leveling Win
Quinton de Kock’s stunning century and Nandre Burger’s four-wicket haul powered South Africa to a dominant win over Pakistan, leveling the ODI series 1-1 in Faisalabad.
Quinton de Kock and Nandre Burger produced match-winning performances as South Africa thrashed Pakistan in the second ODI in Faisalabad to level the three-match series 1-1 on Thursday.
Pakistan, put into bat, never quite recovered from Nandre Burger’s early burst. The left-arm pacer dismissed Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan within the first five overs, leaving Pakistan reeling at 22 for 3. Burger later returned to remove Faheem Ashraf, finishing with a career-best 4 for 46.
Despite the early collapse, young Saim Ayub and Agha Salman showed resistance, stitching together a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket. Both scored fighting fifties, Salman top-scoring with 69 and Ayub making 54, before Corbin Bosch broke the partnership.
Mohammad Nawaz added late momentum with a run-a-ball 59, guiding Pakistan to 269 for 9. Nqabayomzi Peter also impressed for the Proteas, taking three wickets in the death overs.
In reply, South Africa made the chase look easy. Quinton de Kock, back from retirement, played a vintage knock, smashing 116 off 103 balls.
He was well supported by Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored a brisk 46, and Tony de Zorzi, who added a fluent 76. The duo’s 153-run stand for the second wicket crushed any hopes of a Pakistan comeback.
De Kock’s masterclass, his 22nd ODI century, anchored South Africa’s chase as they wrapped up victory with nearly 10 overs to spare.
Skipper Matthew Breetzke finished things off alongside de Kock to seal an emphatic win for the visitors. With the series now level, both teams will meet in the decider in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
