Quinton de Kock hit 123 not out in an innings which included seven sixes.
South Africa hit back against Pakistan on Thursday, with comeback veteran Quinton de Kock hitting a century as he led them to an eight-wicket victory, levelling the one-day international (ODI) series in the second match in Faisalabad.
Having narrowly lost the opening game of the series at the same venue two days earlier, the Proteas left nothing to chance, coasting to a comfortable win with nearly 10 overs to spare.
Set a target of 270 runs to win, 32-year-old De Kock (playing his fifth international match after a two-year hiatus) and teenager Lhuan-dré Pretorius combined in an 81-run opening stand.
Pretorius was removed by Mohammad Wasim when he got an edge to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan in the 11th over, after contributing 46 runs off 40 balls.
After he was removed, Tony de Zorzi joined De Kock in a 153-run partnership for the second wicket, with De Zorzi bashing 76 off 63 before he got a leading edge to Saim Ayub at point off a Faheem Ashraf delivery.
De Kock then carried the tourists over the line, guiding them to 270/2 as he reached 123 not out after facing 119 deliveries – his 22nd ODI century – in an innings which included seven sixes.
Pakistan innings
Earlier, three of Pakistan’s players hit half-centuries – Saim Ayub (53), Salman Agha (69) and Mohammad Nawaz (59) – but the SA bowlers took regular wickets to keep them under pressure.
The hosts were ultimately restricted to 269/9 in their 50 overs.
The Proteas attack was spearheaded by frontline fast bowler Nandre Burger, who took 4/46, while spinner Nqaba Peter returned a career-best 3/55 in his third ODI game.
With the three-match campaign level at 1-1, the ODI series decider will be held in Faisalabad on Saturday.
