Pakistan series win against Proteas raises hopes for ICC Champions Trophy

It’s the kind of form that Pakistan, arguably the most unpredictable team in world cricket, would like to carry into the ICC Champions Trophy in two months’ time. Flying high after an ODI series win in Australia last month, the green shirts have conquered another tough terrain by handing a series defeat to South Africa on Thursday.

After edging out the hosts by three runs in a thriller in the first game, Pakistan scored an emphatic 81-run win in the second one at Newlands in Cape Town to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series. There is still a dead rubber, a day-nighter in Johannesburg on Sunday, but the series win is likely to serve as a perfect tune-up for their Test series starting on the Boxing Day.

"All of the guys were involved and everyone performed. We got the partnership but the start was good. Myself and Babar decided to go slow and lay the foundation. We were looking at 300 but we made 320 thanks to Kamran Ghulam. As a skipper, I have the trust and belief in him but not that much as he played today (laughs). The bowlers then bowled well to restrict them,’’ said the ever-smiling captain Mohammed Rizwan after the win.

Those familiar with Pakistan cricket, however, can never vouch for the fact that the back-to-back ODI series wins are any guarantee for continuity at home, where they will be defending the Champions Trophy they won in style in 2017. Less than a week back, Australian Jason Gillespie had stepped down as their Test coach citing lack of independence while Gary Kirsten, appointed as their white-ball coach last April, had stepped down after barely few months.

It’s the same team which is capable of losing to Bangladesh at home but can raise their game under the most adverse circumstances. They have now become the first team in the current century to win three ODI series against South Africa at their backyard, the two previous wins coming in 2013 and 2021, respectively. The three series wins for Pakistan came in just seven attempts and this was also their fifth consecutive ODI series victory.

Australia, meanwhile, are the only other team than Pakistan to win as many ODI series in South Africa, albeit in 10 attempts. What must be particularly heartening for Pakistan is Babar Azam getting back among some runs, as his 73 was his first half-century in any format for Pakistan since May and his first in ODIs in 13 months. A classy performer at the best of times, Babar had been through a lot in recent months, including losing his place in the Test team in the England series.

Joining his skipper and erstwhile opening partner Rizwan for a sedate 115-run partnership for third wicket, Babar took time to play himself in but his return to form can only be good news for their fans for the upcoming battles.

While the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy is expected any day, it’s a given that Pakistan will be facing off against India at the neutral venue of Dubai in the league stages. The other two teams in Group A are New Zealand and Bangladesh while Group B comprises of Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals and on form, one can count on Rizwan’s men to at least make it to the knockout stages. A strong performance from the ‘hosts,’ what with them hosting their first major ICC tournament since 1996, will create some unforgettable memories.