S.Africa thrash Pakistan by 8 wickets in last match to level two-Test series

South Africa thrashed Pakistan by eight wickets Thursday to level the two-test cricket series, with off-spinner Simon Harmer playing a crucial role with a six-wicket haul.

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Pakistan opened the series with a 93-run victory inside four days at Lahore last week, but Harmer flipped the script on another spinning wicket at Rawalpindi. He snared 6-50 to dismiss Pakistan for 138 on Day 4.

That set South Africa a victory target of 68 runs, and the World Test Championship winners eased to 73-2 in 12.3 overs.

Harmer and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who missed the first test due to injury, scripted South Africa’s victory with 17 wickets between them in the second test.

“After the first test we were put under pressure but the guys have put their hands up and excelled,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said. “Great space to be in as a team...the unit out here is one of the best. In South Africa you'd think just seamers, but we are very good with the spinners as well.”