Opener Fakhar Zaman’s scintillating 193 was not enough for Pakistan who lost the second ODI to South Africa by 17 runs at The Wanderers on Sunday as the hosts levelled the three-game series.
Fakhar was left to do it all on his own as Pakistan reached 324 for nine in reply to South Africa’s 341 for six, his power-hitting including 18 fours and 10 sixes for the record score in ODIs in Johannesburg, beating the 175 by Herschelle Gibbs against Australia in 2006.
It was also the best score by a visiting player to South Africa, with the next highest in Sunday’s Pakistan innings being 31 from captain Babar Azam.
Fakhar’s magnificent innings of 155 balls ended in bizarre fashion when he cantered home for a second run off the first ball of the final over, but a throw from the fence by Aiden Markram was a direct hit and the batsman’s excellent chance for a second double-ton in the 50-over format was gone.
Brief scores: South Africa 341/6 in 50 ovs (T. Bevuma 92, Q. De Kock 80; H. Rauf 3/53), Pakistan 324/9 in 50 ovs (F. Zaman 193, A. Nortje 3/63). SA won by 17 runs.
