SA vs PAK 2nd ODI: Quinton de Kock reignites international career with…

Ahead of the white-ball series in Pakistan, Quinton de Kock had come back from his retirement from the ODI format – which he announced in the year 2023 – and came back strong in the format with an unbeaten century, scoring 123 off 119 balls. Quinton had a massive contribution in South Africa’s successful chase of 270 runs in 40.1 overs.

Quinton de Kock came out to open the innings, and made a strong stand of 81 off 71 balls with 19-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorious – with de Kock being given a massive chance as one of his shot got dropped at the deep mid-wicket. Quinton then continued his form and kept going strong with Tony de Zorzi and hit boundaries in a rapid chase.

“It’s nice to be back with the team, the extra responsibility is good. I haven’t batted with a lot of these guys before, but it’s great to make new friends. The guys have batted really nicely in the last two games, nice and clinical performances,” de Kock said.

Speaking about Pakistan’s bowlers’ performance- they failed to get much success and were not able to hit the right lengths, along with the pacers repeatedly finding it difficult to control the wet ball because of dew. The newly appointed ODI skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi also struggled to fine any breakthrough.

Pakistan team management’s decision to drop specialist spinners also did not turn out in their favour as off-spinners Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha gave out 46 runs in their combined 6.1 overs without any success. Mohammad Wasin Jr. and Faheem Ashraf were the only two bowlers who got a wicket each.