Cricket: Phehlukwayo powers Proteas to pulsating win over Pakistan

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The South African cricket team has bounced back in style as they crushed Pakistan by 5 wickets in the second one day international game to level the limited over series 1-1 at Kingsmead in Durban.

However, the low-scoring defeat may also add some more worries to Pakistan as their skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has been caught using racist jibes at Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo by stump mic.

His use of a sentence in Urdu taunting the skin-color of the black player may further land him in trouble as he may be charged under the ICC code of conduct for player behavior or the ICC's anti-racism code.

Andile Phehlukwayo of South Africa celebrates a wicket during the 2nd One Day international match between South Africa and Pakistan held at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. /VCG Photo

Earlier, the home side, Faf du Plessis, won the toss and elected to field first.

With the South African bowlers firing on all cylinders, the Pakistan top-order fell like a pack of cards before captain Ahmed and medium pacer Hasan Ali salvaged the sinking ship towards the end of their innings.

Ahmed hit 41 while Ali chipped in with a quick-fire 59 off 45 balls to guide the Pakistan total to a respectable 203 in order to save the blushes from a below-200 embarrassment.

A rampaging Phehlukwayo picked up 4 wickets for just 22 runs while speedster Kagiso Rabada bagged two crucial wickets.

Rassie van der Dussen of South Africa acknowledges the crowd after scoring his 50th run during the 2nd Momentum ODI match. /VCG Photo

Chasing the target, the Proteas suffered a double blow after losing both their openers Reeza Hendricks and Hashim Amla.

However, Rassie van der Dussen steadied the innings and was later joined by an exceptional Phehlukwayo to guide the hosts to a series-equaling victory.

The duo had an unbeaten 127-run partnership for the 6th wicket as one international match-old Dussen remained unbeaten on 80 while Phehlukwayo slammed 69 not out as the home side won the game with 48 balls to spare.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with three wickets.

Meanwhile, Phehlukwayo was named the Player of the Match for his extraordinary all-round performance.