The rivalry between South Africa and Pakistan in cricket always brings excitement. Whether it’s a World Cup clash or a regular bilateral series, these two teams never fail to entertain. In the ODI Series 2024, the showdown between South Africa and Pakistan had fans on both sides glued to their screens.
The match took place at SuperSport Park in Centurion, known for its pace-friendly conditions. With a strong lineup on both sides, this ODI was expected to be a tight contest. Pakistan came in with good form after their Asia Cup campaign, while South Africa looked fresh and confident on home turf.
This blog walks you through every important moment, right from toss decisions to standout performances. You’ll find a full scorecard, top scorers, bowling brilliance, and the story behind the stats.
If you missed the action, don’t worry. We’ll break it down for you in a simple, conversational way that helps you relive the match moment by moment.
Match Overview
- Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion
- Match Type: 3rd ODI, South Africa vs Pakistan
- Series: ODI Series 2024
- Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first
- Result: South Africa won by 28 runs
South Africa Innings
Batting first wasn’t South Africa’s initial plan, but Pakistan’s decision to bowl gave the Proteas an early challenge. The home team didn’t get off to a flying start. Quinton de Kock fell cheaply, but the innings found shape thanks to a solid effort from the middle order.
Rassie van der Dussen was the anchor while Klaasen played the aggressor’s role. Their partnership gave South Africa momentum at the perfect time. And just when Pakistan thought they had them under control, David Miller came in with a powerful cameo.
South Africa Batting Scorecard
|
Batsman |
Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|
Quinton de Kock |
12 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 66.7 |
| Reeza Hendricks | 34 | 41 | 4 | 0 |
82.9 |
| Rassie van der Dussen | 79 | 92 | 6 | 1 |
85.9 |
|
Heinrich Klaasen |
66 | 54 | 7 | 2 |
122.2 |
|
David Miller |
31 | 20 | 2 | 2 |
155.0 |
|
Marco Jansen |
15* | 11 | 1 | 1 | 136.4 |
| Extras | 18 |
|
|||
|
Total |
255/7 in 50 overs |
Pakistan Bowling Summary
|
Bowler |
Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 47 | 2 |
4.7 |
|
Haris Rauf |
9 | 58 | 1 |
6.4 |
| Shadab Khan | 10 | 42 | 2 | 4.2 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 8 | 39 | 1 | 4.9 |
| Wasim Jr. | 7 | 42 | 0 | 6.0 |
Pakistan’s bowlers started well but let it slip in the final 15 overs. Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers with good control and variation.
Pakistan Innings
Pakistan began their chase with confidence. Fakhar Zaman went after the new ball bowlers, showing his intent right away. Imam supported him well, but South Africa struck at the right times. Rabada and Ngidi kept things tight, and the spinners took advantage once the ball started gripping.
Pakistan kept losing wickets just when it looked like they were gaining control. Babar Azam held the innings for a while, but once he fell to Shamsi, the collapse began.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Fakhar Zaman | 45 | 39 | 6 | 1 | 115.4 |
| Imam-ul-Haq | 23 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 79.3 |
| Babar Azam (c) | 41 | 53 | 3 | 1 | 77.3 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 19 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 76.0 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 32 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 114.3 |
| Shadab Khan | 27 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 122.7 |
| Extras | 17 | ||||
| Total | 227 all out in 48.4 overs |
South Africa Bowling Summary
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Kagiso Rabada | 9 | 39 | 2 | 4.3 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 10 | 44 | 3 | 4.4 |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 10 | 50 | 2 | 5.0 |
| Marco Jansen | 8.4 | 47 | 2 | 5.4 |
| Aiden Markram | 2 | 10 | 0 | 5.0 |
Ngidi’s early breakthroughs set the tone, while Shamsi’s spin in the middle overs created pressure. Jansen cleaned up the tail with pace and bounce.
Match Highlights
- Rassie van der Dussen’s 79 anchored South Africa’s innings.
- Heinrich Klaasen’s quick 66 shifted momentum in the death overs.
- Ngidi and Rabada bowled tight spells to squeeze Pakistan early.
- Shamsi’s spin led to Babar and Rizwan’s dismissals, turning the match.
- Pakistan’s lower order fought hard but couldn’t recover from the middle-order collapse.
Turning Point of the Match
Babar Azam and Rizwan had built a stable partnership. But the moment Shamsi dismissed both within three overs, the chase stumbled. That shift in momentum helped South Africa pull ahead and stay in control till the end.
Post-Match Captains’ Reactions
Temba Bavuma:
“We played smart cricket today. We didn’t panic after early wickets. Rassie and Klaasen batted with intent. Bowlers did a great job defending under lights.”
Babar Azam:
“Chasing 255 should have been within reach. But we gave away too many wickets in the middle overs. Credit to South Africa—they used the conditions well.”
What’s Next?
- The 4th ODI will be played at Kingsmead, Durban, where spin could play a bigger role.
- Both teams may tweak their playing XIs. Pakistan might bring in an extra batter. South Africa could rest one of their pacers.
Final Thoughts
This ODI proved once again how important middle-over control is in modern cricket. South Africa outclassed Pakistan in terms of strategy and execution. While Pakistan showed spark, their inability to build partnerships in the middle cost them the game.
If you’re following this series, expect more drama and tight games. These two teams still have a lot to play for. Keep watching.
