Phehlukwayo registers twin bests in Proteas win

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Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo

All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo relished the Man of the Match award as South Africa beat Pakistan by five wickets in Tuesday’s second ODI at Kingsmead in Durban.

Phehlukwayo snared telling figures of 4-22 in Pakistan’s final total of 203 all out – and later struck 69 not out in a successful pursuit with eight overs to spare.

His batting and bowling efforts were ODI career bests, surpassing October 2017’s 4-40 against Bangladesh at Boland Park in Paarl, and October 2016’s 42 not out against Australia in Durban.

The 22-year-old enjoyed an unbroken 127-run alliance with fellow half-centurion Rassie van der Dussen – and a particularly challenging encounter with spinner Shadab Khan.

‘I’ve got a role to play. If you hit the deck hard, there was a bit in there. I was a bit nervous to begin with when I batted. Rassie did a good job of calming me down. I stuck to my plans and played with intensity,’ said Phehlukwayo.

‘Shadab was one of the hardest to pick. At the end of the day, it was good cricket. I’m a positive person, I really like scoring boundaries and making runs.’

The result levelled the five-match series one-all. The third ODI will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday. The Wanderers in Johannesburg and Newlands in Cape Town will host fixtures four and five respectively.

‘Andile has played a few games for us, but he’s playing for the No 7 place and it was a great knock. I think it was a two-paced one-day wicket. There was a lot happening earlier and later it got easier under lights,’ said host captain Faf du Plessis.

‘It has been an amazing start to Rassie’s ODI career. I am very pleased to see the way he’s playing. What you look for in new players is composure and calmness at the crease.’

Photo: Gallo