The second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan at Cape Town saw some heated exchange of words between the players of both teams. During the match, South Africa’s wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen was involved in a verbal battle with Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan.
As the conversation escalated, Babar Azam had to step in to separate the two of them and cool them down. The incident happened after the 26th over of South Africa’s innings, which was bowled by the fast bowler Haris Rauf.
Heinrich Klaasen, who was not pleased with the condition of the ball, had a heated argument with Haris Rauf first. However, Mohammad Rizwan jumped into the argument soon, thus escalating the whole situation.
Both Klaasen and Rizwan were involved in a verbal battle of words as the umpires tried to calm down both parties. Rizwan even pointed fingers at Klaasen during the argument. Seeing that the argument was not ending, Babar Azam stepped in to move both of them away from each other to continue the game.
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Watch- Mohammad Rizwan involved in a heated argument with Heinrich Klaasen
Need this PCT ðŸ˜
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While the words were not clear, both the players were not holding themselves back. While Klaasen seemed to suggest to Rizwan that he wasn’t talking to him, the Pakistan wicketkeeper called it the umpire’s job to check the ball’s condition.
Good knocks from Heinrich Klaasen and Mohammad Rizwan
Both the wicketkeepers Heinrich Klaasen and Mohammad Rizwan made some great contributions during the match. Both the players top-scored for their respective teams. Rizwan scored a brilliant 80 off just 82 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes.
On the other hand, Klaasen smashed a whirlwind 97 off just 74 balls. He was the top run-scorer for South Africa during the match and smashed 8 fours and 4 sixes during his knock. In the end, Rizwan ended up on the happier side as his side won the match.
Pakistan clinch the series
Pakistan emerged victorious on the day as they defeated a hapless South Africa by 81 runs. Batting first, the Men in Green scored a big score of 329 on the back of Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Kamran Ghulam.
Babar scored a steady 73 off 95 balls while Ghulam smashed a brutal 63 off just 32 balls to take Pakistan past the 300-run mark. Ghulam struck 4 fours and 5 sixes during his knock and was also adjudged the Player of the Match for his impactful performance. Left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka picked up four wickets on ODI debut.
Chasing a massive target to win, South Africa were rocked early with the wicket of their captain Temba Bavuma. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Pakistan bowlers bowled tightly. The batters got starts but couldn’t convert them into a big one as Abrar Ahmed bowled excellently in the middle overs.
Heinrich Klaasen was the lone fighter for the Proteas as he played a scintillating knock. He was also the last wicket to fall. Shaheen Afridi finished with 4-47 while his new-ball partner Naseem Shah picked up 3-37.