Phehlukwayo puts his hand up at Kingsmead

Andile Phehlukwayo stepped up in the Proteas’ second ODI match against Pakistan at Kingsmead yesterday and aided his side to a memorable five wicket victory, which tied the ODI at 1-1.

The left-handed all-rounder achieved career best bowling and batting figures and was awarded the Man of the Match award for his heroic efforts.

He smashed an unbeaten 69 off 80 balls (7 fours and 2 sixes) and ended with bowling figures of 4/22.

On top of this, he teamed up with rookie and in-form player Rassie van der Dussen to record a Kingsmead record partnership of 127 runs recorded his maiden ODI half century.

This result may suggest a comfortable victory, but it was anything but the case, as Pakistan bossed the middle part of the game through outstanding performances by Hasan Ali with the bat and Shaheen Afridi with the ball.

Hasan led an inspired Pakistan fightback from a disastrous 114/8 with only 18 overs left in the innings, sharing a Pakistan ninth-wicket record partnership of 90 off 80 balls with his captain Sarfraz Ahmed, the latter playing in his 100th ODI.

He finished on 59 (45 balls, 3 sixes and 5 fours), with Sarfraz reaching 41 (59 balls, 2 fours).

Their final total of 203 became competitive when Shaheen blew a hole in the Proteas top order, taking three wickets in his first three overs.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan backed him up by dismissing David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen cheaply, with the Proteas reeling at 80/5, starring down the barrel.

But Phehlukwayo (69 not out off 80 balls) and Van der Dussen (80 not out off 123 balls) managed to keep their cool and got their side over the line.


Not to be overlooked

After just two matches, Van der Dussen has an aggregate of 173 runs, which is the highest by any South African player in the first two innings in this format.

The temperament he brings to the job and the fact that he is a quick learner, is remarkably impressive.

The third ODI takes place at SuperSport Park on Friday at 1pm.

Remaining fixtures

• Fourth ODI – Sunday, 27 January at 10am.

• Fifth ODI – Wednesday, 30 January at 1pm.

• First T20 – Friday, 1 February at 6pm.

• Second T20 – Sunday, 3 February at 2.30pm.

• Third T20 – Wednesday, 6 February at 6pm.

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