When a batsman like Quinton de Kock is in his element, it is virtually impossible for any bowling attack in the world to keep him quiet, and Pakistan learned this the hard way. During the second one-day international match played at Faisalabad, the South African wicketkeeper-batter hit an extraordinary 123-run inning not out
That inning has made de Kock part of the exclusive club consisting of South African players who have dominated their opponents, Pakistan, in one day matches.
On that note, let’s take a look at the top 5 Proteas players whose individual scores against Pakistan in ODIs were the highest and how they made their mark in this thrilling rivalry.
5. Hashim Amla – 122
Hashim Amla exhibited graciousness that was the definition of elegance. He played like an artist against Pakistan, who were his favorite target, as he scored 1047 runs from 25 innings during the period of 2010 and 2019. In 2013, he scored 122 off 113 balls in the 3rd ODI during Johannesburg.
He was the one who directed the whole innings, so Amla’s knock not only helped the team post a total of 343 runs but also sealed a 34-run victory for the Proteas. Overall, Amla has scored three centuries and five fifties in encounters with Pakistan, at an average of 45.52 and a strike rate of nearly 91.
4. Rassie van der Dussen – 123*
Rassie van der Dussen is the most consistent player of the modern generation who has played well against Pakistan. He has made 547 runs in just 12 matches at a remarkable average of 68.37 since his debut in 2019.
Back in 2021, Dussen hit 123* off 134 balls against Pakistan in the 1st ODI at Centurion. South Africa lost the match by 3 wickets, but Rassie van der Dussen’s talent was recognized as he shone as a rising star.
3. Quinton de Kock – 123*
He was just back from retirement when the new-age South African batting leader Quinton de Kock made his impact in Faisalabad. In the second ODI against Pakistan, he smashed 123* off 119 balls to complete an ambitious chase of 270 runs.
His contribution with the bat paved the way for his team to draw the series of three and thereby dodge the loss. Also, if we consider the period of his playing in international cricket from 2013 for he has participated in 18 matches and since then, he has aggregated 776 runs at a remarkable average of 45.64. Besides his striking rate of over 90, he has been very effective with his aggressive style play which has often put the opposition team, Pakistan, in a state of confusion.
2. Daryll Cullinan – 124
From AB and de Villiers era, there was Daryll Cullinan, the elegant South African right-hander from the 1990s. He had made 698 runs in 23 matches with Pakistan in the period between 1993 and 2000.
In the KCA Centenary Tournament match against Pakistan, held in Nairobi in 1996, Cullinan scored 124 off 117 balls, thereby facilitating South Africa to a total of 321 runs which was the first step in the 62-run victory. It was a tough road to go through the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Saqlain Mushtaq, but Cullinan was one of the best ODI batsmen of his time in the South African camp.
1. AB de Villiers – 128
When the question is of batting virtuosity, AB de Villiers is among the top few whose skills can hardly be compared. He was a demon to Pakistan’s bowling attack during the period 2006-2017 with his powerful and varied shot-making. In the same game where Amla made 122 runs, de Villiers was equally great with 128 off 108 balls.
Amla and AB created a 238-run alliance. Overall against Pakistan in 32 matches, AB de Villiers made 1423 runs with an average of 59.29, consisting of three hundreds and ten fifties. He had a strike rate of over 91 which clearly indicated the extent of his destructiveness, even when operating against Pakistan’s top-notch fast bowlers.
