Determined Pakistan trounce lackluster South Africa by 7 wickets

The traditionally mercurial Pakistan cricket team turned uncharacteristically stable to outclass the visitors in both batting and bowling, chalking up their fifth test victory against South Africa. Openers Abid Ali scored only 10 and Imran Butt 12 to offer a whiff of hope to South Africa. Then Babar Azam scored 30 runs before being caught leg before just two runs short of the required 88. Azhar Ali scored 31 while Fawad Alam struck the winning runs, sending the ball streaking off the ground into the boundary.

Pakistan needed just 88 runs to win when openers Imran Butt and Abid Ali took to the crease early in the morning.

Earlier in the day, debutant Nauman Ali had bulldozed through the South African batting line-up, picking up his first five-wicket haul.

After losing wickets just before end of play on Thursday, South Africa continued to struggle against Nauman and Yasir Shah when play resumed on Friday, managing to add a meagre 58 runs with Temba Bavuma offering the only meaningful contribution of 40 runs. By lunch break, Pakistan needed just 66 runs to win.

Hassan Ali initiated the South African collapse when he picked up Keshav Maharaj off the very first ball of the day. Yasir Shah then claimed the scalp of Captain Quinton de Kock, caught by Abid Ali at short leg. In came Bavuma, who steadied the ship, while the lead crossed 75 and South Africa picked up hope for adding a substantial lead. It was all for nothing, though, as the second batting collapsed begun with Linde’s wicket.