LAHORE – Pakistan etched its name in cricket history by becoming the first team in the 21st century to win three ODI series in South Africa. The Men in Green sealed the historic achievement with an 81-run victory over the Proteas in the second ODI at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, clinching an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a daunting target of 330 runs, South Africa was bowled out for 248 in just 43.1 overs. This win marked Pakistan’s third consecutive ODI series triumph, following successful campaigns against Australia and Zimbabwe earlier this year.
The victory was powered by crucial half-centuries from captain Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and the Player of the Match Kamran Ghulam. On the bowling front, the pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah delivered outstanding performances, sharing seven wickets for just 84 runs in 16.1 overs combined.
This historic feat adds to Pakistan’s previous ODI series wins in South Africa in 2013 and 2021. Overall, Pakistan has participated in seven bilateral ODI series in South Africa and now joins Australia as the only team to win three or more ODI series on South African soil.
Australia’s triumphs came in 1997, 2002, and 2011 across ten series, while Pakistan achieved their milestone in just seven campaigns, solidifying their reputation as formidable competitors in South African conditions.
With this victory, Pakistan continues to demonstrate its rising dominance in world cricket, setting new benchmarks and rewriting the history books.
