5 best batting performances from Pakistan's tour of South Africa

#3 Mohammad Hafeez – 1st ODI – 71* off 63 balls

Hafeez's masterclass took Pakistan home in the 1st ODI

Professor Hafeez compiled an innings of such effortless excellence during Pakistan’s chase of 267 in the 1st ODI, that it wouldn’t be out of place in a masterclass of finishing ODI games.

He played the kind of innings that has been second nature for him throughout his career but has often been overlooked. He was ably helped by Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, but as Pakistan wobbled a bit towards the last 10 overs of the chase, Hafeez took them to safety with this classy, chanceless innings.

On what was a slow pitch, Hafeez picked the ball much better than any other batsman in both teams and found the boundary ever so easily to always keep the pressure down. While the winning hit didn’t come from his bat, the experienced stalwart was the one who ensured his team would win.