Hasan fires Pakistan to end 17-year drought
Medium pacer Hasan Ali took a maiden ten-wicket haul to help Pakistan win its first series against South Africa since 2003 with a 95-run victory in the second Test on the fifth and final day in Rawalpindi yesterday.
Hasan finished with 5-60 to record his best match figures of 11-114 and help dismiss South Africa -- who were set a daunting 370 to chase -- for 274 before the tea break.
Hasan's new-ball partner Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with 4-51, while spinner Yasir Shah took the last wicket to spark jubilation among the Pakistan players. Opener Aiden Markram scored a fighting 108 and Temba Bavuma 61. Hasan ripped through the tourists' batting order, which lost seven wickets for just 33 runs with the second new ball.
"It was outstanding from Hasan because he has awareness and took advantage of the experience of playing here (in Rawalpindi)," Pakistan captain Babar Azam said at the post-match presentation.
"At one stage we thought the game could've gone either way. But we knew, one wicket and we can come back into the game again. And then we did that with the new ball."
Azam said they can get even better after a historic first series win against South Africa since 2003. "It's a welcome sign but we have to further improve," said an elated Azam, who was leading Pakistan for the first time. "It was a much needed win and the best part of this series win is that now we are number five in Test rankings."
South Africa captain Quinton de Kock said: "We lost the big moments in the game and that cost us. When we get back home, we'll have to look at our performances and improve on the way forward."
Losing captain hoped his team will learn lessons from the defeat. "It's painful at the moment," said de Kock who had a lacklustre series, scoring just 46 in four innings. "When we get back home, we'll have to look at our performances and improve on the way forward."
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