4 reasons why Pakistan won the 4th ODI against South Africa 

Pakistan produced a dominating performance in the 4th One Day International played at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg and leveled the series at 2-2. After losing the 3rd One Day International at Centurion, Pakistan came back strongly and steamrolled the hosts for a low total.

Pakistan stand-in captain Shoaib Malik did a great job as captain as he rotated the bowlers well and also set the field placement with precision.

Imam-ul-Haq is in the form of his life at the moment. The opener played another match-winning knock to guide his team home. It was a sensational performance by Pakistan bowlers to skittle out the hosts and then chased down the target with ease.

With this win, Pakistan leveled the series 2-2 and would be hoping to produce the same performance in the deciding ODI to be played on 30th January.

Pakistan played some brilliant cricket in the 3rd One Day International as well as they scored 317 runs batting first. Though they did not bowl poorly, DLS played a part in the rain-affected game and Pakistan lost it.

Here we look at the 4 reasons why Pakistan won the fourth One day international against hosts South Africa.

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#1 Shaheen Shah Afridi's early wickets

Pakistan stand-in Captain Shoaib Malik won the toss and decided to field first at Johannesburg on Sunday. Shaheen Shah Afridi got the team off to a perfect start as he grabbed wickets of Quinton de Kock for 0 and then Reeza Hendricks for just two runs. Pakistan reduced South Africa to 18 for 2 in the 6th over.

It was a great bowling spell by Shaheen Shah Afridi to jolt the South African batting line up. South Africa scored just 32 for 2 at end of 10 overs. Afridi finished with 2 for 24 in his eight overs.

#2 Brilliant bowling by Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim

Pakistan spinners complemented their seamers

After picking up two early wickets, Pakistan spinners, Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, not only restricted the run flow but also picked wickets. The left arm spinner Imad Wasim finished with figures of 1/36. Imad took the wicket the important wicket of Hashim Amla for 59.

Shadab Khan troubled the South African batsmen with his variations. He broke the 3rd wicket partnership of Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, which triggered their collapse. Shadab Khan finished with figures of 2 for 42 in 9 overs.

Both spinners controlled the run flow and did the damage by picking up important wickets. The South African batsmen found it hard to rotate the strike against Pakistan spinners. Imad Wasim went for 3.6 runs per over while Shadab Khan went for 4.6 run per over.

#3 Pakistan openers provided a solid start

Fakhar Zaman and Imam added 70 runs for the opening wicket

Chasing the target of 165 runs to win, Pakistani openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman provided a solid start. The duo scored 51 runs in the first 10 overs and set the foundation for a big win. Fakhar Zaman looked impressive with his stroke play and made run a ball 44 runs.

Fakhar Zaman and Imam added 70 runs for the opening wicket in just 13.2 overs. For the first time in the series, Pakistan opening partnership provided a solid start to make the chase look comfortable. Fakhar Zaman hit seven boundaries and showed his ability with the bat.

#4 Imam-ul-Haq's superb form continues

Imam scored 71 off 91 balls

Imam-ul-Haq continued his superb form in the 4th ODI. Chasing the target of 165 runs to win, Imam and Fakhar Zaman added 70 runs for the opening wicket. Imam played with a solid technique and made the batting look easy.

Imam reached his fifty off 67 balls and added 94 runs for the 2nd wicket with Babar Azam. Imam was dismissed for 71 off 91 balls. Not to forget, Imam scored a hundred in the third ODI and 86 runs in the first game of the series.