Reeza Hendricks plundered 117 as he helped South Africa to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their second T20I, giving them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
After impressive performances from David Miller, who missed this match with a calf injury, and George Linde in the first T20I in Durban, Hendricks took his chance, helping the Proteas surpass their 207 target with three balls left.
Pakistan lost Mohammad Rizwan in the powerplay for just 11 runs, but Saim Ayub, who lasted the entire 20 overs, steadied the ship as he steadily racked up 98 off 57 balls.
Babar Azam (31) and Ifran Khan Niazi (30) pushed them towards their respectable 206-5, though they will feel they could have got more if they had not lost three quick wickets between the 12th and 15th overs.
South Africa got off to a slow start though, with Ryan Rickleton dismissed for just two runs by Jahanad Khan (2-40). However, his fellow opener Hendricks, who scored his first T20I century, soon found his rhythm with Rassie van der Dussen (66 not out).
Pakistan had no answers as they put together a 157-run third-wicket partnership, and though Abbas Afridi finally ended Hendricks' stand in the 18th over, Heinrich Klaasen (eight) stepped in to help get it over the line.
Match Result
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 13, 2024
The Proteas take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match KFC T20i Series now.
South Africa win by 7 wickets
Bring on the 3rd and final match tomorrow night at the DP World Wanderers Stadium!#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/wehev3AoNS
Data Debrief: Record-breaker
Hendricks was by far the stand out for the hosts, hitting seven fours and 10 sixes in his knock, as he claimed his first ton for South Africa in the format.
It was also the 18th time he has racked up a score of 50+ in T20Is, the most for South Africa, surpassing Quinton de Kock's record.
His partnership with Van der Dussen on the third wicket is also a new high for the Proteas, with their 157 runs beating AB de Villers and Richard Levi's tally of 133 in T20Is.
Pakistan contribued to those new records as well though, with 416 the highest match aggregate involving the two teams in this format.