Cape Town: Pakistan have issued a warning ahead of next year's ICC Champions Trophy with an impressive series-deciding 81-run victory over South Africa in here on Thursday night
The Asian side got half-centuries from skipper Mohammad Rizwan (80), Babar Azam (73) and Kamran Ghulam (63) when compiling a total of 329 and that proved too much for the Proteas as a clinical bowling performance from Shaheen Afridi (4/47) and Naseem Shah (3/37) guided the visitors home.
It was Pakistan's fifth bilateral ODI series victory on the trot - following previous series triumphs over Australia and Zimbabwe in recent months - and they also become the first Asian side to have won a trio of ODI series in South Africa having also tasted success in the country in 2021 and 2013.
It also helps Pakistan continue to build momentum prior to next year's Champions Trophy event as they bid to become just the second side to defend the trophy after Australia managed to win consecutive titles in 2006 and 2009.
Pakistan defeated arch-rival India in the final of the most recent Champions Trophy tournament at The Oval in London seven years ago and will be considered among the favourites for next year's event based on their current form in 50-over contests, an ICC report said.
Rizwan was thrilled with the performance from his side, with the Pakistan captain paying special tribute to Ghulam for his Player of the Match heroics that arrived via some lofty late hitting.
"It was a fantastic team effort with everyone performing exceptionally well. As a captain, it’s always a great feeling to see such a performance," Rizwan said.
"Saim Ayub’s positive start gave us a solid foundation so Babar and I decided to play a bit slower and consolidate the innings. However Kamran Ghulam's innings really boosted us and took the game away from South Africa. Initially we were aiming for a target around 300 but his knock helped us reach a 320-plus total," he said.
"As a skipper I had faith in Kamran Ghulam but I didn’t expect him to play like he did tonight. I’ve played with him in the same region KPK and Peshawar but he showed a completely different side of his game today. He’s a bright prospect for Pakistan," Rizwan said.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma was left to rue a late fadeout from his batters, who had received good innings from Heinrich Klaasen (97) and Tony de Zorzi (34) early in the chase.
"We had things under control in the first 25 overs but we let them express themselves in the last 25," Bavuma said.
"We let the good work in the first 25 overs slip away," he added.
The third and final ODI of the series will be held in Johannesburg on Sunday.
