Pakistan veterans Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan laid the foundation for a convincing, series-clinching 81-run win over South Africa in the second one-day international at Newlands on Thursday. Pakistan's total of 329 all out was set up by Babar (73) and captain Rizwan (80), who put on 115 off 142 balls for the third wicket. Heinrich Klaasen made 97 for South Africa but the hosts were bowled out for 248. Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi (four for 47) and Naseem Shah (three for 37) were the main destroyers.

The win gave Pakistan an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Pakistan's win on Thursday saw them become the first team in 21st century to win three ODI bilaterals in South Africa.

It was their fifth successive series win - and the third for the Champions Trophy hosts in the southern hemisphere season, following victories in Australia and Zimbabwe.

"It's a team game, from beginning to end all of the guys are involved and contributing," said Rizwan.  

Babar and Rizwan, whose combined 204 one-day caps exceeded the total of the rest of the team, batted soundly and sensibly before Babar was out with the total on 192 in the 33rd over.

Rizwan followed three overs later to a sensational diving catch off his own bowling by 18-year-old one-day debutant Kwena Maphaka.

But the stage had been set for some power hitting by the batsmen who followed, notably player of the match Kamran Ghulam, who hit five sixes in making 63 off 32 balls.

With a licence to go for their shots, Pakistan scored 161 runs in the last 17 overs while losing their remaining six wickets.

"Me and Babar started slowly. We were looking for 300 but we got 320-plus. I have never seen Kamran Ghulam play an innings like that," said Rizwan.

Left-arm fast-bowler Maphaka took heavy punishment but picked up four wickets while conceding 72 runs.

South Africa scored more briskly than Pakistan for most of their innings but although all of their first six batsmen made starts, only Klaasen made a significant score.

Pakistan have issued a warning ahead of next year's ICC Champions Trophy with an impressive series-deciding 81-run victory over South Africa in Cape Town on Thursday.

The Asian side got half-centuries from skipper Mohammad Rizwan (80), Babar Azam (73) and Kamran Ghulam (63) when compiling a total of 329 and that proved too much for the Proteas as a clinical bowling performance from Shaheen Afridi (4/47) and Naseem Shah (3/37) guided the visitors home.

It was Pakistan's fifth bilateral ODI series victory on the trot - following previous series triumphs over Australia and Zimbabwe in recent months - and they also become the first Asian side to have won a trio of ODI series in South Africa having also tasted success in the country in 2021 and 2013.

It also helps Pakistan continue to build momentum prior to next year's Champions Trophy event as they bid to become just the second side to defend the trophy after Australia managed to win consecutive titles in 2006 and 2009.

Pakistan defeated arch-rival India in the final of the most recent Champions Trophy tournament at The Oval in London seven years ago and will be considered among the favourites for next year's event based on their current form in 50-over contests.

Rizwan was thrilled with the performance from his side, with the Pakistan captain paying special tribute to Ghulam for his Player of the Match heroics that arrived via some lofty late hitting.

"It was a fantastic team effort with everyone performing exceptionally well. As a captain, it’s always a great feeling to see such a performance," Rizwan said.

"Saim Ayub’s positive start gave us a solid foundation so Babar and I decided to play a bit slower and consolidate the innings. However Kamran Ghulam's innings really boosted us and took the game away from South Africa. Initially we were aiming for a target around 300 but his knock helped us reach a 320-plus total.

"As a skipper I had faith in Kamran Ghulam but I didn’t expect him to play like he did tonight. I’ve played with him in the same region KPK and Peshawar but he showed a completely different side of his game today. He’s a bright prospect for Pakistan."

Prithvi Shaw continues to defend himself against the heavy criticism surrounding his discipline and fitness issues. In a recent Instagram story, Shaw shared a thought-provoking quote that read, "If you don't understand it fully, don't speak on it. Too many people have full opinions, with half facts." This post is seen as a response to the ongoing scrutiny and allegations regarding his conduct, particularly following statements from the Mumbai Cricket Association official.

The MCA recently addressed Shaw's on- and off-field behaviour, dismissing his emotional outburst after being left out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. According to an MCA official, Shaw has repeatedly violated disciplinary guidelines, leading to the assertion that he is "his own enemy." The association also highlighted Shaw's fitness concerns during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, revealing that his physical condition was so poor the team had to "hide" him on the field. This revelation has added fuel to the ongoing debate over Shaw's professionalism and commitment to the game.

The young batter, once hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, has faced a barrage of criticism in recent times, with questions raised about his focus and ability to handle pressure. Shaw's recent social media activity appears to be his way of addressing detractors and standing up for himself amidst the growing scrutiny.

"The ball would pass near him, and he would barely make an effort to reach it," the official said, speaking anonymously to the news agency PTI. "Even while batting, he struggled to reach the ball. His fitness, discipline, and attitude are lacking, and we cannot have different rules for different players."

The concerns extended beyond his on-field performance, as Shaw reportedly missed training sessions and frequently returned to the team hotel at odd hours. These behaviors have led to mounting frustration among senior team members, who have begun voicing their displeasure.

Prithvi Shaw, left out of Mumbai's 16-member Vijay Hazare Trophy squad despite being part of their victorious Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, voiced his disappointment on social media. However, an MCA official dismissed the significance of such posts, stressing that selectors remain unaffected by public opinion. "Social media posts won’t influence the Mumbai selectors or the MCA’s decisions. Shaw should concentrate on his game instead of seeking sympathy," the official stated firmly.

While Shaw’s immense talent is unquestionable, the recurring concerns over his fitness and discipline could overshadow his potential if not addressed. As the debate continues, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how the young cricketer navigates this challenging phase of his career.

Dropped from IPL and Ranji! Will this impact Prithvi Shaw's opulent lifestyle? His net worth is...

Prithvi Shaw, the 25-year-old opening batsman, has experienced a tumultuous path in his cricketing career. Once regarded as a bright prospect after winning the 'Player of the Match' award on his debut, Shaw is now dealing with a series of challenges.

Prithvi Shaw's earnings

Once considered a rising star, Shaw continues to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. Despite an erratic career, the right-handed batsman has still managed to amass a considerable fortune. According to various reports, Shaw's net worth is estimated to be around Rs 25 crore at the age of 25. A significant portion of his earnings has come from his time with Delhi Capitals in the IPL, where he was paid Rs 8 crore. However, this year has been challenging for him, as he remained unsold at the IPL auction despite his base price of Rs 75 lakh.

Prithvi Shaw's luxurious lifestyle

Off the field, Shaw enjoys a lifestyle that many dream of. He boasts an impressive array of high-end cars, including a BMW 6 Series. His monthly income is said to exceed Rs 40 lakh, largely due to his endorsement deals. The cricketer reportedly earns around Rs 1 crore per endorsement, further boosting his income.

Prithvi Shaw's luxurious sea-view apartment in Mumbai

In addition, Shaw recently moved into a luxurious sea-view apartment in Mumbai in April 2024. The Bandra property is valued at over Rs 15 crores.

The carnival around Prithvi Shaw’s career continues, as his non-inclusion in Mumbai’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy continues a downward trend for the stocks of a once-promising batter who was considered to be a star of India’s future.

Despite 50-over cricket being his strongest format, as the opener indicated in a belligerent Instagram post detailing his numbers and success in that format, Mumbai have chosen to look elsewhere as issues with Shaw’s fitness and discipline continue to outweigh his raw talent and production on the field.

Things came to a head as he managed to lose support within the Mumbai Cricket Association, with an official from the MCA spoke to PTI under conditions of anonymity to dive further into why the batter was overlooked for the Vijay Hazare tournament beginning this month.

"I'll tell you one thing. No one is Shaw's enemy. He is his own enemy," explained the source to PTI in a stark condemnation of Shaw’s recent downturn in form.

"In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, we were playing with 10 fielders as we were forced to hide Prithvi Shaw. The ball would pass near him and he would barely be able to get to it," said the source, indicating how Shaw’s concerns in the field were a big part of why he was not included, even if his batting has seen him be a regular starter in recent matches in the Mumbai’s triumphant Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Ranji Trophy campaigns.

However, the batting is also a concern, with Shaw only scoring 197 runs in 7 games in the SMAT, not meeting the standards required of an opener. despite a couple of crucial knocks. "Even while batting, we could see he was troubled reaching to the ball. His fitness, discipline and attitude are poor and it is pretty simple, there cannot be different rules for different players.”

‘Even the seniors in the team…’

Shreyas Iyer, who leads Mumbai in the limited overs competitions, had spoken about how Shaw was reaching the end of his rope and needed to knuckle down following the win at the SMAT. However, Shaw being dropped is a big blow for the batter, despite his average of 55 in List A cricket.

During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shaw missed training sessions regularly after showing up at the team hotel at "six in the morning" being out for most of the night.

"Even the seniors in the team have started complaining about his attitude now. You would be wrong to think such posts on social media would have any impact on the Mumbai selectors and the MCA," concluded the source, also indicating how the team wouldn’t have been impressed by Shaw’s outburst on the matter on Instagram.