South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd ODI Predictions & Tips - Azam the hero again as Pakistan seal series win

Pakistan won the 1st ODI, but it was not as easy as many predicted. Unbeaten in their last 10 ODIs, Pakistan should to be backed for their second meeting with South Africa. My best bet is a Pakistan victory in Johannesburg.

South Africa and Pakistan are level at 3-3 over their last six ODI fixtures.

Pakistan won the 1st ODI of the current series by three wickets at Centurion.

South Africa started the series poorly against Pakistan in the 1st ODI at Centurion. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first, giving South Africa first use of the pitch.

By the 15th over the Proteas were 55-4 and in big trouble. Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller then rescued the cause. Miller was dismissed for 50 runs while Van der Dussen ended unbeaten on 123 runs, leading the hosts to a total of 273.

Kagiso Rabada took an early wicket but Pakistan settled thereafter. The score was on 186 before the next wicket fell and by then South Africa looked dead and buried.

Some very good bowling mixed with average batting got the hosts back into the game. In the end Pakistan scored the winning runs off the final ball of the match to win by three wickets.

South Africa will in all likelihood go into the 2nd ODI with an unchanged lineup. They will need to level the series because a few top players depart before the final ODI.

Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Kagiso Rabada will be in India before the 3rd ODI for the IPL.

Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after a three wicket victory in the 1st ODI at Centurion. Babar Azam elected to bowl first and the bowlers backed him up by reducing the hosts to 55-4. 

South Africa then put together a partnership which took them to 273 runs after 50 overs. It was a par score but a tough chase awaited Pakistan.

Babar Azam showed his class in the chase, scoring 103 off 104 balls. He was well supported by Imam-ul-Haq (70) and Mohammad Rizwan (40).

By the time Azam was dismissed Pakistan needed 88 runs from 18 overs – a pretty straight forward chase. The lower order however took the foot off the gas and almost threw the game away. It was left to Faheem Ashraf to hit the winning runs off the final ball of the match.

Danish Aziz made his debut in the 1st ODI and should get another opportunity despite failing with the bat. Haider Ali must be in the running for a start as well while Hasan Ali could come into the side to strengthen the bowling side of things.