The China Mail - Burger strikes as South Africa restrict Pakistan to 269-9 in second ODI

The 30-year-old fast bowler ripped out Pakistan's first three wickets in his opening three overs after the hosts won the toss and batted on a flat Iqbal Stadium pitch.

From 22-3, however, the hosts rebuilt the innings and half-centuries from opener Saim Ayub and Salman Agha, who added 92 for the fourth wicket, and later from Mohammad Nawaz helped them to a fighting total as they look to seal the three-match series.

Burger struck with his third delivery, having opener Fakhar Zaman caught behind by Quinton de Kock for a duck.

He then struck twice in his third over: crowd favourite Babar Azam was caught in the slips for 11 from the first ball and four balls later Mohammad Rizwan chopped on to his stumps for four.

Ayub hit 53 off 66 balls with a six and five fours while Agha made a more docile 69 from 106 deliveries with five boundaries as the pair revived the innings.

Ayub hit his second ODI fifty before giving Corbin Bosch a return catch in the 25th over, while Agha was bowled by Bosch in the 41st.

Down the order, Nawaz blasted a run-a-ball 59 with four sixes and three fours while all-rounder Faheem Ashraf made 28 as Pakistan plundered 90 runs in the final 10 overs.

Bosch finished with 2-58 while spinner Nqabayomzi Peter took 3-55.

Burger's previous best ODI figures were 3-30 against India at Gqeberha in 2023.

Pakistan won Tuesday's opener in Faisalabad by two wickets.

D.Wang--ThChM