Pakistan secured their first-ever home ODI series win against South Africa, dominating the third and final match at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Saturday.
The victory also extends Pakistan’s impressive run against the Proteas, as they have now won four of the last five ODI series and are on a three-series winning streak.
Opener Saim Ayub starred with a fluent 77 off 70 balls, while Abrar Ahmed’s four-wicket spell dismantled South Africa earlier in the day, setting up a comfortable chase for the hosts.
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Chasing a modest target of 144, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early when Nandre Burger removed him for a duck in the opening over.
However, Babar Azam and Saim rebuilt the innings with a steady 65-run partnership that calmed the early nerves.
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Babar, who looked in good touch with 27 off 32 balls, was run out after a mix-up, but Saim continued to play confidently, finding boundaries with ease.
Alongside Mohammad Rizwan, he added another crucial stand of 65 runs, putting Pakistan within touching distance of victory.
Saim’s fine innings came to an end in the 24th over when Bjorn Fortuin trapped him, but by then, the result was beyond doubt.
His knock included 11 fours and one six.
READ: De Kock century powers South Africa to eight-wicket win over Pakistan
Rizwan remained unbeaten on 32 off 45 balls, while Salman Ali Agha finished the game in style with a boundary, sealing the win in the 26th over.
Earlier, South Africa’s decision to bat first backfired as they were bowled out for 143 in 37.5 overs.
Despite Quinton de Kock’s composed 53 off 70 balls, which included six fours and a six, the visitors collapsed dramatically after a solid start.
The Proteas were cruising at 106 for 2, but once de Kock fell to Mohammad Nawaz, the innings unraveled.
From there, South Africa lost their last eight wickets for just 37 runs, with Abrar Ahmed doing the bulk of the damage.
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Abrar was the standout bowler with 4 for 27, while Nawaz, Salman Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets each.
Only Lhuan-dre Pretorius (39), de Kock (53), Matthew Breetzke (16), and Nqabayomzi Peter (16) reached double figures for the visitors.
With this victory, Pakistan not only won the series 2-1 but also extended their dominance over South Africa, winning seven of their last nine ODIs against them.
It was a complete performance from Pakistan, disciplined with the ball, clinical in the field, and composed with the bat, marking a memorable start for Shaheen Shah Afridi in his ODI captaincy tenure.
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Pakistan clinch historic ODI series win
Pakistan defeated South Africa by seven wickets, chasing down 144 in just 25.1 overs to secure their first-ever ODI series win over the Proteas on home soil.
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House-full
Pakistan vs South Africa series sees three consecutive house-full matches at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.7:54 pm -
Saim Ayub anchors Pakistan’s innings
Saim Ayub reaches a well-earned fifty as he and Mohammad Rizwan guide Pakistan to 90-2, keeping the chase steady.
7:23 pm -
Pakistan starts steadily despite early setback
After losing Fakhar Zaman early, Babar Azam and Saim Ayub rebuilt the innings with a calm approach, taking Pakistan to 59-1 in the powerplay.
7:00 pm -
Fakhar departs early
Fakhar Zaman bowled by Burger for 0.
6:15 pm -
Pakistan wraps up South Africa’s innings
Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz starred as Pakistan staged a late collapse, bowling South Africa out for 143.
Afridi finished the innings in style, removing Nqabayomzi Peter and Lungi Ngidi with precise deliveries.
5:42 pm -
Abrar Ahmed takes his fourth
Abrar Ahmed strikes again, trapping Matthew Breetzke caught by Rizwan for 16, removing South Africa’s last recognized batter and putting Pakistan firmly on top.
5:15 pm -
Abrar Ahmed puts Pakistan back in control
Abrar Ahmed strikes with a brilliant spell, picking up three quick wickets and slowing South Africa’s innings at 118-6 after 28 overs.
4:55 pm -
De Kock departs
Mohammad Nawaz traps Quinton de Kock LBW with a perfectly flighted delivery. Attempting a sweep, de Kock misses, and the ball hits in line, crashing into the leg stump for a crucial wicket.
4:40 pm -
Agha strikes again
Tony de Zorzi fell to a tossed-up delivery outside off, attempting an expansive drive but miscuing it straight to Shaheen Afridi at extra cover. The soft dismissal came after a string of dot balls, giving Pakistan a vital breakthrough before the drinks interval.
4:15 pm -
First wicket for Pakistan
Lhuan-dre Pretorius falls for 39, caught by Babar Azam off Salman Agha, giving Pakistan a crucial wicket.
4:00 pm -
Rauf’s first over
Rauf’s first over doesn’t go well… Pretorius smashes 3 boundaries straight away!3:30 pm -
South Africa maintain momentum
Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock continue their steady partnership, taking South Africa to 47 without loss in the powerplay.
3:39 pm -
Steady start for South Africa
Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius provided a calm beginning as South Africa reached 19 without loss in the first five overs.
3:20 pm -
Pitch Report
Experts Urooj Mumtaz and Vernon Philander predict a challenging surface with variable bounce and turn. Batters will need to score quickly in the first 15 overs before conditions become tougher in the middle phase.
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Playing XI
South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (c), Donovan Ferreira, Rubin Hermann, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Nqabayomzi PeterPakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf2:35 pm -
Toss Update
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the series decider in Faisalabad.2:30 pm -
Welcome to Live Coverage
Hello and welcome! We’re thrilled to have you with us as we count down to the third ODI of the series. After leveling the Test series 1-1, Pakistan clinched the T20I series 2-1, while the ODI series is currently tied at 1-1, with the series decider underway in Faisalabad.
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