Fakhar Zaman's 193 in vain as South Africa beat Pakistan by 17 runs

South Africa levelled the series with a 17-run win in the second One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday despite a spectacular innings by Pakistan opening batsman Fakhar Zaman.

Fakhar hit 193 off 155 balls with 10 sixes and 18 fours but he lacked support as Pakistan made 324 for nine in reply to South Africa's 341 for six.

David Miller (L) consoles Temba Bavuma after his dismissal by Haris Rauf (not visible). AFP

Quinton de Kock, captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller hit half-centuries for South Africa, who were sent in.

Pakistan's chances seemed to be minimal when fast bowler Anrich Nortje dismissed captain Babar Azam for 31 in his first over and followed up with two more quick wickets to reduce the tourists to 85 for four.

However, Fakhar launched an astonishing assault to keep their hopes alive until he was run out in the last over.

Fakhar Zaman plays a shot during the second ODI match against South Africa in Johannesburg. AP

As in the first match in Centurion on Friday, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his side would try to exploit early moisture in the pitch in an effort to wrap up the three-match series with one game to spare.

Pakistan won a dramatic opening game by three wickets, scoring the winning run off the last ball.

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The series is being played unusually late in the season for South Africa, with shorter days and cooler weather making batting conditions tricky for batsmen early in a game.

Pakistan's Haris Rauf (right) celebrates with a teammate after the dismissal of South Africa's Quinton de Kock. AFP

"We had a good chat about areas we can improve on," said South African captain Temba Bavuma.

Both teams were unchanged.

Despite the absence of spectators because of Covid-19 restrictions, the South African team wore pink outfits to raise awareness of breast cancer.

It continued a tradition for one-day internationals at the Wanderers which started in 2013.

It was announced earlier on Sunday that South Africa had been fined 20 percent of their match fee for a slow over rate during the first match.

Teams:

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock (wkt), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf

Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Allahudien Paleker (both RSA)

TV umpire: Adrian Holdstock (RSA)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Agence France-Presse