Babar Azam breaks MS Dhoni’s record during second ODI against South Africa

CAPETOWN: Pakistan batter Babar Azam not only ended his half-century drought but also surpassed former Indian captain MS Dhoni to achieve a coveted milestone during the second ODI against South Africa here on Thursday.

Pakistan thumped the hosts by 81 runs in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 in the three-match series at Newlands.

The visitors posted 329 runs while batting first against South Africa, with Babar Azam scoring 73 runs from 95 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

This was Babar’s 33rd half-century in ODI cricket, but it was his first since November 2023. His last half-century was an unbeaten 66-run knock against New Zealand during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

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With his 33rd half-century, Babar Azam surpassed the record of MS Dhoni for scoring the most 50+ scores against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries across all formats.

Both players were tied on 38 scores of 50 or more against SENA countries, but this half-century took Babar’s tally to 39 such scores.

Notably, Babar formed a solid partnership of 115 runs for the third wicket with Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Andile Phehlukwayo broke the partnership with the wicket of Babar, while Rizwan fell prey to Maphaka after playing a gutsy knock of 80 off 82, which featured ten boundaries, including three sixes.

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Kamran Ghulam then played a blinder of a knock, smashing 63 runs from 32 balls, peppered with five sixes and four boundaries. His innings helped Pakistan post 329 before they were bowled out on the final ball of the innings.

In response, South Africa were bundled out for 248 in 43.1 overs with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah taking four and three wickets respectively.

Heinrich Klaasen waged a lone war for South Africa, hitting 97 runs from 74 balls with the help of eight boundaries and four sixes, but could not take his team across the line.

It’s worth noting that the third ODI is scheduled to be played in Johannesburg on December 22, followed by a two-match Test series, which will start from December 26.

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