FAISALABAD – Pakistan dominated South Africa in the third and final ODI to clinch the series in style. Chasing a modest target of 144, the home side stormed to victory with ease, losing just three wickets and having 100 balls to spare.
The chase began on a rocky note when opener Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Nandre Burger in the very first over. But star batter Babar Azam joined Saim Ayub in the middle, and the duo orchestrated a brilliant recovery with a 65-run partnership for the second wicket. Babar’s knock of 27 off 32 balls, studded with five boundaries, ended in a run-out on the second delivery of the 11th over.
Saim Ayub kept the momentum going, forming another crucial 65-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan to inch Pakistan closer to victory. Saim’s scintillating innings came to an end in the 24th over, dismissed by Bjorn Fortuin for 77 off 70 balls, which included 11 fours and a six. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 32 off 45 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a six, steering Pakistan home. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha contributed a quick five not out from just two balls. For South Africa, Fortuin and Burger took one wicket each.
South Africa’s decision to bat first, under captain Matthew Breetzke, backfired as they managed only 143 runs before being bowled out in 37.5 overs. Despite a steady start from the opening pair of Lhuandré Pretorius (39 off 45 balls, with four fours and a six) and Quinton de Kock (53 off 70 balls, six fours and a six), the Proteas failed to build substantial partnerships. De Kock was dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz in the 25th over, and what followed was a dramatic collapse triggered by Abrar Ahmed. The spinner tore through the middle and lower order, picking up four wickets for just 27 runs, as South Africa lost their remaining eight wickets for just 37 runs.
Other contributors for Pakistan included Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Ali Agha, and Mohammad Nawaz, who each took two wickets. For South Africa, besides the openers, only captain Breetzke and Nqabayomzi Peter managed double figures with 16 runs each, highlighting their struggle against Pakistan’s spin-dominated attack.
Pakistan’s comprehensive win not only secured a 3-0 series sweep but also underlined their dominance with both bat and ball. With Saim Ayub’s blazing half-century and Abrar Ahmed’s devastating spell, Pakistan sent a clear message to the cricketing world: they are a team in supreme form and ready to take on any challenge.
Pakistan made two changes for the series decider — Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed returned to the side, replacing Naseem Shah and Wasim Junior. The move proved strategic, as Abrar’s inclusion immediately strengthened Pakistan’s spin attack and paid instant dividends.
The match comes just days after Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten century powered South Africa to a crushing eight-wicket win in the second ODI at the same venue, leveling the series 1–1.
In that game, the Proteas chased down Pakistan’s 270-run target in just 41 overs, thanks to a sensational 153-run stand between de Kock and Tony de Zorzi, which had silenced the home crowd and reignited the visitors’ hopes.
Now, with a target of only 144 runs, Pakistan stand just a few steps away from clinching the series on home soil. The crowd in Faisalabad roared with anticipation as the players walked off, confident that the Men in Green would chase down the modest total and seal a memorable victory.
