Abu Dhabi, Nov. 1: Woken-up Abdul Razzaq hit a belligerent unbeaten hundred to help Pakistan pull off an incerdible win in the second one-day international against South Africa here on Sunday.
The dashing 30-year-old all-rounder hit a quickfire 109 off just 72 balls studded with 10 towering sixes and seven fours to help Pakistan overhaul a daunting 288-run target with just one wicket and one delivery to spare.
Razzaq’s third one-day hundred — crossing the fifty mark for the first time since making 75 not out against England four years ago — helped Pakistan level the five-match series 1-1 at the Abu Dhabi Stadium.
South Africa won the first match by eight wickets here on Friday. The third match will be played in Dubai on Tuesday.
Razzaq, who came to the crease at 136/5, added 81 for the sixth wicket with Fawad Alam (48) to raise hopes of Pakistan win and even after Alam fell, he did not lose heart despite Pakistan needing 87 in the last ten overs.
He hit Charl Langeveldt for three sixes in 47th over before taking a six and a boundary off the same bowler in the 49th.
Pakistan needed 14 off the last over as Razzaq cut loose, hitting sixes off the second and third balls from Albie Morkel to raise his third hundred in one-day cricket, which came off just 70 balls. He then cut through the point for boundary to bring Pakistan’s win.
Brief scores: South Africa 286/8 (Amla 65, Ingram 100; Riaz 2/43) lost to Pakistan 289/9 (Alam 48, Afridi 49, Razzaq 109 not out; Langeveldt 3/75).