Pakistan opening batsman Fakhar Zaman’s astonishing innings of 193 could not prevent South Africa winning the second one-day international by 17 runs in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Fakhar hit 193 off 155 balls with 10 sixes and 18 fours but he lacked support as Pakistan made 324 for nine in reply to South Africa’s 341 for six.
Quinton de Kock, captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller hit half-centuries for South Africa, who were sent in.
Pakistan’s chances seemed to be minimal when fast bowler Anrich Nortje dismissed captain Babar Azam for 31 in his first over and followed up with two more quick wickets to reduce the tourists to 85 for four.
However, Fakhar launched an astonishing assault to keep their hopes alive until he was run out in the last over. That run out too was under controversial circumstances in the last over by a direct hit from long-off as he was trying for a second run.
With wicketkeeper Quinton De Kock seemingly gesturing for Aiden Markram to throw to the bowler’s end, Fakhar slowed down and was surprised when the ball hit the stumps at the batsman’s end when he was a metre or more short, ending his bold counter-attack. While the match was all but over at that point of time, he was dismissed seven runs short of what would have been his second double century.
Fakhar Zaman’s innings finished as the highest score ever in ODIs while batting second.
Earlier, newly-appointed captain Temba Bavuma anchored a solid South African batting performance at the Wanderers Stadium.
In his second game as captain, Bavuma scored 92 as South Africa, needing a win to keep the three-match series alive, made 341 for six after being sent in to bat.
The South African innings was in dramatic contrast to their effort in the first match in Centurion, when they lost four wickets inside the first 15 overs, with Pakistan going on to win by three wickets off the last ball.
Early moisture in the pitch again made batting tricky but South Africa put together a succession of productive partnerships as conditions eased.
Quinton de Kock (86) and Aiden Markram (39) put on 55 for the first wicket before Bavuma and De Kock added 114 for the second wicket. It set a platform for Rassie van der Dussen to hit a blistering 60 off 37 balls as he and Bavuma put on 101 for the third wicket.
Bavuma was content to play the junior role in both century partnerships but kept the scoreboard moving in making his 92 off 102 balls. He hit nine boundaries before holing out to deep midwicket in the 47th over.
Despite two strikes in the closing overs by Haris Rauf, David Miller gave the innings late impetus with an unbeaten 50 off 27 balls.
Fast bowler Rauf took three for 54.