Rizwan, Babar, Kamran hit fifties as Pakistan rack up 329

 South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan's century stand was bolstered by a brisk half-century from Kamran Ghulam, as Pakistan posted 329 runs in the second One-Day International against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, on Thursday.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan found themselves under early pressure when Marco Jansen dismissed Abdullah Shafique for a duck in the opening over, with the ball edging to the wicketkeeper. Despite this early setback, Pakistan didn't adopt a defensive approach, regularly finding boundaries. However, both Saim Ayub and Babar were cautious with their shot selection during the Powerplay, avoiding too many aerial shots. The pair added 48 runs from 56 balls before Kwena Maphaka, on his ODI debut, produced a steep bouncer that Ayub mistimed to the fielder at third.

The Powerplay ended with a wicket-maiden, but Babar and Rizwan regained control, ensuring the momentum stayed in Pakistan's favor. The duo kept the scoreboard ticking with regular rotations of strike. Rizwan took calculated risks, including a slog-sweep for six off Aiden Markram in the 23rd over. Two balls later, he nearly paid the price for a risky paddle shot, but the wicketkeeper failed to hold on to the chance.

Babar continued his aggressive approach against the offspinner, and in his next over, brought up his half-century. Rizwan then accelerated, smashing Jansen and Bjorn Fortuin for sixes on his way to a half-century. However, South Africa struck quickly to remove both senior batters. Babar pulled Andile Phehlukwayo to the fielder at mid-wicket, while Rizwan, who had hit Maphaka for three consecutive boundaries in the previous over, offered a return catch to the pacer in the 36th over.

David Miller produced a stunning run-out to dismiss Irfan Khan, but South Africa's fielding let them down with too many dropped catches. After Klaasen missed an early chance to dismiss Rizwan, both Irfan and Ghulam were given second chances, thanks to drops by Temba Bavuma and Maphaka in the final overs. Shaheen Afridi also joined the late assault with a spirited cameo. However, South Africa took four wickets in the last six balls of the innings to bowl out Pakistan.

At 192 for 4, with two new batters at the crease, Pakistan needed to accelerate in the death overs. Ghulam provided that boost, starting his assault by hitting Phehlukwayo for a boundary and a six. Meanwhile, Salman Agha took on Tabraiz Shamsi from the other end, smashing him for consecutive boundaries before being dismissed for 33 by Fortuin. However, Shamsi's troubles continued as Ghulam launched two sixes off him in the following over. Jansen, Phehlukwayo, and Maphaka all felt the force of Ghulam’s attack during the death overs, as he raced to a blistering 32-ball 63.

 Brief Scores: Pakistan 329 all out in 49.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 80, Babar Azam 73, Kamran Ghulam 63; Kwena Maphaka 4-72, Marco Jansen 3-71) vs South Africa.