Pakistan vs. South Africa 2nd ODI. 27th November,2013.

        Finally Pakistan break the shackles as the defeat South Africa in the 2nd ODI by 1 run and win the series by 2-0. This is the first ever ODI series win of Pakistan over South Africa over all the cricketing years.
             2nd match between the two greens was played on 27th November in PORT ELIZABETH. The rain delayed the match start and the overs were decreased from 50 to 45 overs per side. Match started soon after the rain went away. South Africa having won the toss decided to bowl first thinking that the pitch would be favorable to seamers due to the moisture.
            Pakistan's start proved that the Africans were right as Dale Steyn knocked over Nasir Jamshed for just 2 runs and no longer it took for him to get rid of who else but Muhammad Hafeez who fell again to Dale Steyn 15th time of 23 times. On the other hand Pakistan's ship was constantly being anchored by the two youngsters including Sohaib Maqsood & Ahmad Shahzad who put a partnership of 124 rums of 128 balls. Sohaib Maqsood played a steady innings of 42 runs(3x4s 0x6s) where as Ahmad Shahzad proved to be a Centurion as he scored 102(8x4s,2x6s) of 112 balls. This was the first century for Pakistan in the current year in ODI cricket. Later on Umer Akmal launched a quick fire of 42 runs(4x4s,2x6s) and Bilawal Bhatti played a little cameo for his 21 runs followed by 4 fours. However Anwer Ali was dragged out of the wicket for obstructing the field as a result of a controversial decision. This all led Pakistan to a sound total of 262 runs/10 wickets(45.0 overs) which was well above par score at this venue.Dale Steyn also proved to be a highlight who gained his best ever bowling figures 9 overs-0 maidens-6 wickets-39 runs.
                                                                                         

           South African innings started no differently as Junaid Khan removed Greame Smith for his 1 run. But later on Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock had some other ideas as they led South Africa to 97 runs. After this, de Kock was dismissed to Shahid Afridi and no sooner Kallis was also undone by the same man. There came the game changer,the Protean skipper AB de Villiers who just turned the match on its head. He played a blinder of  74 runs(8x4s,2x6s) with his massive shots range while Hashim Amla did the right thing to hold the anchor through out the match. This drove Pakistan well back but still they hung on till the last bell. Right after the departure of AB de Villiers Pakistan drove back into the game strongly while the dismissed Hashim Amla for his 98 runs(7x4s,0x6s) and JP Duminy.
                               Finally it ended in a nail biter finish when the injured Junaid Khan successfully defended 8 runs in the last over giving Pakistan a 1 run win over the host and the most important of that Pakistan made their first ever ODI series victory over the Proteas in the cricketing history.

           Man of the Match was awarded for his excellent 102 runs of 108 balls who saved the day for Pakistan. 

           Still the last ODI game to come where Pakistan will be looking to white-wash the hosts where as the Proteas will be looking forward to win the last match as a consolation for them but it looks pretty difficult for them in the absence of Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn. Let's see what time brings to us in the final clash for the two greens in the current year.............