Proteas coach defends decision to bowl first at Newlands after suffering ODI series defeat

Pakistan amassed a total of 329 all out after home skipper Temba Bavuma had elected to send the visitors into bat on what looked a good pitch at the picturesque venue.

The highest total chased down in an ODI at Newlands is 259 when the Proteas beat England in the 2019-2020 season so the hosts were staring down a record run-chase and fell woefully short as they only reached 248 all out.

READ: Shaheen Afridi's four-fer secures ODI series for Pakistan in South Africa

Walter felt the pitch was still good under lights, telling reporters after the loss: "I don't think that the pitch played any worse, to be honest, I think it was still a good wicket.

"There was a part of it that we felt we might be able to put their batting under pressure, batting first. Historically, they've enjoyed chasing so they like to know what's in front of them.

"And so we felt if we could create some pressure on them batting first, that might create some bad decisions and potentially erode in in terms of their batting line-up.

"And then from our batting point of view, yeah, I mean, the local knowledge has told us that actually conditions get better under lights, that it actually comes on a little bit better and that there's actually a better chance of chasing.

"So factoring all those things into consideration for me, the toss made sense."

Teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka made is ODI debut for the Proteas on Tuesday and delivered some seriously quick deliveries together with a variation of pace to take four wickets in his 9.5 overs.

Walter was delighted with the display of the left-arm paceman, who is also in the Test squad that will face Pakistan on Boxing Day.

The Proteas mentor said: "Itâ™s very exciting to think about what lies ahead for Kwena. Just to see him out there today, he really sort of thrives and flourishes in those moments and he'll keep getting better and better.

"Just to see the kind of skills he threw at the back end â- back of the hand slower balls â- which he hadn't bowled in the game to that point, and to then figure out that's maybe the option and to back himself to go for it, I think is very exciting."

The third and final ODI between the Proteas and Pakistan will take place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.

READ MORE: Corbin Bosch earns maiden call-up to Proteas Test squad for crucial Pakistan series