De Kock, Nandre Burger Star as South Africa Level ODI Series 1-1

Naeem Khan 

Faisalabad: South Africa bounced back in emphatic fashion to level the three-match ODI series against Pakistan 1-1, thanks to an unbeaten century by wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock and a devastating opening spell from Nandre Burger at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Thursday.

Burger set the tone with an early burst, claiming three key wickets — Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan — in his first 2.5 overs, restricting Pakistan to 269-9. In response, de Kock, making a return to the ODI fold, smashed his 22nd career century, guiding the Proteas to 270-2 with 59 balls to spare, marking their highest-margin chase on Pakistani soil.

De Kock and Tony de Zorzi put together a quick-fire second-wicket partnership of 153 runs off 135 balls, dominating the Pakistan bowlers with eight boundaries and seven sixes from de Kock, and nine boundaries and three sixes from de Zorzi, who scored 76 off 63 balls.

The pair’s partnership set up a comfortable finish, with Matthew Breetzke remaining unbeaten on 17 off 21 balls. The chase was further bolstered by Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored 46 off 40 deliveries, helping the team post an opening stand of 81.

Pakistan’s bowlers struggled throughout, with Shaheen Shah Afridi using all eight bowlers, including five all-rounders — Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Nawaz, and Saim Ayub.

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Only Muhammad Wasim Jr. and Faheem Ashraf managed a wicket each, conceding 48 and 40 runs, respectively, while six other bowlers went wicketless. Shaheen admitted post-match that poor fielding and dropped catches had cost Pakistan, promising a strong comeback in the series decider.

Batting first, Pakistan’s top order collapsed early against the swing and pace, losing three wickets for just 22 runs in the first five overs. Fakhar Zaman (0), Babar Azam (11), and Mohammad Rizwan (4) fell cheaply, leaving Pakistan reliant on their all-rounders to stabilize the innings.

Salman Agha (69) and Muhammad Nawaz (59) made valuable contributions, with Nawaz hitting four sixes, while Faheem Ashraf added 28 off 18 balls to help the team reach a defendable total.

South Africa’s bowling attack was clinical, with Burger claiming a career-best 4-46 off 10 overs, while leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter took 3-55 and Corbin Bosch picked up two key wickets. Other bowlers, including Bjoen Fortuin, George Linde, and Donovan Ferreira, went wicketless.

Matthew Breetzke credited the team’s victory to the outstanding performances of Burger, de Kock, de Zorzi, and Pretorius, highlighting the balanced effort with both bat and ball that enabled South Africa to bounce back and level the series.