Stats: South Africa post 266 in their 50 overs for the loss of only two wickets

The 5-match ODI series between South Africa and Pakistan kick-started at the St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth where the hosts made 266/2 batting first. After winning the toss, the Proteas got off to a solid start with an 82-run opening stand from 17.4 overs. Reeza Hendricks got out for 45 off 57 deliveries in the process of stepping on the accelerator. Debutant Rassie van der Dussen joined Hashim Amla and the duo took the South African innings forward. Amla, who got to his fifty off 52 balls, didn’t show any intent to up the scoring rate.

Van der Dussen at the other end took his time to settle at the crease and was set towards a big knock like he had done in the Mzansi Super League. The 29-year-old used to strike at a rate of 250-300 during the South African T20 league. He brought up his fifty off 65 balls and scored 43 more runs in the next 38 balls before getting out for a 101-ball 93. Amla mounted his 27th ODI century in 113 balls taking 61 deliveries for his second fifty.

The Saffers failed to get the quick runs towards the end as the Pakistan bowlers executed their plans perfectly. In the era of 300-run scores, the South Africans managed to post only 266 despite losing just two wickets. This is one of the 20 instances where a team played 50 and more overs for the loss of only two wickets. However, among those 20 instances, only Pakistan’s 220/2 against Windies in the 1992 MCG ODI was a lower total.

Overall, South Africa’s total is the 8th lowest total where a team batted 50+ overs for the loss of three or fewer wickets. This is also the lowest ODI total by any team for the loss of three of fewer wickets since 1995 after batting 50 overs. India’s total of 132/3 in the first ever World Cup game was the lowest in this list. They decided to bat out 60 overs chasing a 335-run target set by the hosts England.

Lowest ODI totals for the loss of three or fewer wickets: (Min: 50 overs batted)

*Note: Instances of the teams batting 50 and more overs in successful chases are excluded.

(Stats as on January 19, 2019)

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