- By Vishal Pushkar
- Mon, 06 Jan 2025 09:53 PM (IST)
- Source:Reuters
Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: South Africa made light work of a modest target of 58 to claim victory against Pakistan by 10 wickets at a sun-bathed Newlands on Monday, wrapping up the series 2-0 inside four days of the second and final test.
Pakistan had held up the home side's victory charge with a second innings score of 478 having been asked to follow on, their effort led by captain Shan Masood's fine 145 on a docile wicket.
But South Africa chipped away at the wickets and boosted by their first innings score of 615, reached their victory target without the loss of a wicket and in 7.1 overs with David Bedingham 44 not out from 30 deliveries.
South Africa had already claimed their place in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's from June 11-15.
They have now won their last seven tests in a row, their second best ever run of victories behind a nine-game winning streak between 2002-2003.
"The result (pleases me the most). It's quite satisfying. You doubt certain decisions. There was little bit in it for the new bowlers but the pitch flattened out. (On Maphaka) Very pleasing to have him in the team, he wants to be in the fight, he wants to be in the contest. (WTC final) Lord's - the guys are looking forward to it. For now, we'll enjoy the moment and celebrate it," Temba Bavuma said at the win.
"A lot of good things. We did very well in Centurion, didn't close out in crunch situations. We didn't start well with both bat and ball. We folded early on a really nice surface. The fightback, those are the responses you look for. We need to learn how to win crucial moments. We've been good with the adversity. In the England series, we bounced back. You trust your players to learn the hard way. (On his knock) I never look at personal achievements. You want your contribution to end up at the right side. Babar stepped up when we lost Saim. There have been some characteristics in this team that have stood up," Shan Masood after Pakistan's defeat.