News Sports Cricket Pakistan hangs on for thrilling 1-run win

Pakistan hangs on for thrilling 1-run win

Port Elizabeth: Pakistan held on for a thrilling one-run win in the second one-day international on Wednesday to beat South Africa in an ODI series for the first time, making its short-notice tour an historic




Earlier, Ahmed Shehzad's 102 set up victory for Pakistan, while Dale Steyn's career-best 6-39 was part of a losing effort for South Africa as the world's leading team in test cricket continued to struggle for consistency in ODIs.

Following a 4-1 drubbing by the South Africans in United Arab Emirates at the start of the month, Pakistan turned the tables dramatically weeks later to send South Africa to its first one-day series defeat at home in over two years. The Pakistanis have the chance to become the first team to ever whitewash South Africa at home in the final game in Centurion this weekend.

Pakistan wasn't even meant to tour now, but was asked to fill a gap in South Africa's home schedule after India shortened its upcoming series. It also lost key players to injury before the series started and still came through for a momentous win.

Shehzad's 102 off 112 balls with eight fours and two sixes laid a winning platform in Port Elizabeth. He shared a 124-run partnership for the third wicket with Sohaib Maqsood (42) after coming through an early onslaught by Steyn in overcast conditions at the start of the day.