South Africa National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard

April 21, 2025 By James Collins No Comments 7 minutes

Ah, the classic South Africa versus Pakistan cricket clash! You are right, those matches always have this extra buzz about them.

That ODI series back in December 2024 definitely lived up to the hype, didn’t it? Even if you were in support of the Proteas or Pakistan, there was plenty to get excited (and maybe a little stressed!) about.

That series was a real rollercoaster ride, especially with those first two matches going right down to the wire. And then, third one being a total washout due to a weather call.

This article sounds like a great way to relive all the key moments – the players who shone, how each match played out, the ups and downs, and what we can look forward to from both teams in the future. So, yeah, time to settle in with a cup of tea and let’s see how it all went down.

Key Players in the South African Squad

South Africa brought a team with a mix of old hands and fresh faces. Some guys really stood out:

• Klaasen (Wicketkeeper-Batsman): Their most dependable hitter, good at keeping the score moving and smashing it at the end.
• Tony de Zorzi (Opener): Got them off to a good start and looked comfortable batting.
• Marco Jansen (All-Rounder): Made a difference with both his bowling (taking wickets) and his batting (scoring important runs).
• Kagiso Rabada (Fast Bowler): Still a really quick and tough bowler to face.
• Tabraiz Shamsi (Spinner): His spin bowling slowed down the other team and kept the runs down.

Key Players in the Pakistan Squad

Pakistan’s squad had its usual flair, but this time, a few younger names really made a mark:

• Saim Ayub (Opening Batsman): What a breakout! That century? Absolute gold.
• Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & Wicketkeeper): Calm, composed, and in control. Rizwan handled the innings like a pro.
• Babar Azam (Top-Order Batsman): The backbone of the batting lineup. Stylish, consistent, and always threatening.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi (Fast Bowler): He’s just getting better and better. Took important wickets right at the start.
• Agha Salman (All-Rounder): A hidden leader, contributed with both the bat and the ball.

Match 1: South Africa vs Pakistan – Scorecard (17th December 2024)

1. Match Overview

Venue: Boland Park, Paarl

Time: 1:30 PM local

Toss: South Africa won and chose to bat

Team Line-ups:

South Africa XI:

• de Zorzi, Rickelton
• van der Dussen
• Markram (C)
• Stubbs
• Klaasen (WK)
• Jansen
• Phehlukwayo
• Rabada
• Baartman
• Shamsi

Pakistan XI:

• Ayub
• Shafique
• Babar
• Rizwan (C & WK)
• Ghulam, Salman
• Irfan Khan
• Shaheen
• Naseem
• Haris Rauf
• Abrar

1. Key Highlights

South Africa batted okay, scoring 239 runs and losing 9 wickets. Klaasen played really well for his 86, but they kept losing wickets at the other end.

Pakistan didn’t get stressed. Saim Ayub played an amazing innings, scoring 108, and Agha Salman was calm and steady with 82 not out. It was a nail-biting finish, but Pakistan managed to win.

1. Full Scorecard Breakdown

South Africa Innings

Total: 239/9 in 50 overs

Pakistan Bowling

Pakistan Innings

Total: 242/7 in 49.3 overs

1. Match Analysis

This match was a close one! South Africa started well but couldn’t quite explode at the end. Klaasen tried his best, but the guys in the middle didn’t offer much support.

Pakistan, though, played it smart. Ayub’s hundred was incredibly impressive for someone so young, and Salman showed he’s a player to keep an eye on. Because of this win, Pakistan is now ahead in the series by 1-0.

Match 2: South Africa vs Pakistan – Scorecard (19th December 2024)

1. Match Overview

Venue: St George’s Park, Gqeberha

Time: 1:30 PM local

Toss: Pakistan won and chose to field

Team Line-ups: (unchanged from Match 1)

2. Key Highlights

This game was a real comeback for South Africa! They fought hard to get a good score, and then their bowlers really delivered. Tony de Zorzi was solid again with a nice 62, and Klaasen added some quick runs with 47. They ended up with a decent 256 runs for 8 wickets.

Pakistan’s chase seemed to be going well with Rizwan scoring 55 and Babar holding things together at one end. But then they fell apart in the last ten overs. Marco Jansen took 3 important wickets, which really hurt Pakistan’s chances and gave South Africa the win.

1. Full Scorecard Breakdown

South Africa Innings

Total: 256/8 in 50 overs

Pakistan Bowling

Pakistan Innings

• Total: 233 all out in 48.2 overs

• Top SA Bowler: Marco Jansen – 3 wickets
• Top Pakistan Batter: Rizwan – 55

1. Match Analysis

South Africa entered the match with a clear plan. Their batsmen weren’t trying to hit every ball out of the park, but they played intelligently and built a good score. When it was their turn to bowl, Rabada and Jansen were really effective, getting important wickets at the beginning and end of Pakistan’s innings.

Pakistan’s batsmen, on the other hand, didn’t score quickly enough in the final overs, and that ended up costing them the game.

Now that the series is tied at one win each, everyone is looking forward to the final match to see who will win the whole thing.

Match 3: South Africa vs Pakistan – Scorecard (22nd December 2024)

1. Match Overview

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Time: 1:30 PM local time

Toss: Match abandoned due to rain

2. Key Highlights

Unfortunately, heavy rain didn’t allow even a single ball to be bowled. The outfield remained too wet, and officials had no option but to call off the game. Both teams shared points, and the series ended in a 1-1 draw.

3. Full Scorecard Breakdown

Match Abandoned – No Play Due to Rain

4. Match Analysis

It was an anticlimactic end to what could have been a thrilling decider. Both teams showed competitive spirit in the first two games. Sadly, the weather had the final say in this one.

Series Recap & Final Thoughts

This three-match ODI series was supposed to be the decider of bragging rights, but instead, it gave us a taste of what’s to come.

• Saim Ayub truly arrived on the international stage.
• Heinrich Klaasen proved once again why he’s a match-winner.
• Marco Jansen made his case as a go-to bowling all-rounder.
• Pakistan’s middle-order still needs stability when chasing under pressure.
• South Africa’s depth in bowling looks promising going into 2025.

Final Result:

Series Drawn 1-1

• Match 1: Pakistan won by 3 wickets

• Match 2: South Africa won by 23 runs

• Match 3: Abandoned

Conclusion

This series didn’t end the way fans were hoping, but it still went well. One team won the opener, the other bounced back in style, and just when things were heating up for the decider, the rain had the final say.

But if you have watched with a close eye, this series was more than just runs and wickets. It was about players stepping up, as some proved a point, others found their rhythm. Just like Saim Ayub’s rise, Klaasen’s calm under pressure, and Jansen’s clutch bowling were the moments that stay with you as a cricket fan.

Sure, we didn’t get a final result, but we got a real contest. Both teams walked away knowing what worked and what still needs fixing. And as they gear up for the upcoming Test matches, there’s a lot to look forward to.

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