Abrar, Saim Power Pakistan to Series Win Over South Africa

News Desk

Faisalabad: Abrar Ahmed’s brilliant four-wicket haul and a fluent half-century by Saim Ayub powered Pakistan to a dominant seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the third and final One-Day International at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

The emphatic win, achieved with 24.5 overs to spare, sealed a 2-1 series triumph for the hosts in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s maiden assignment as ODI captain.

Electing to bat first, South Africa made a steady start with a 72-run opening stand between Quinton de Kock (53 off 70 balls, six fours, one six) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (39 off 45). Spinner Salman Ali Agha broke the partnership in the 15th over, removing Pretorius, before striking again to dismiss Tony de Zorzi as Pakistan clawed their way back into the contest.

Mohammad Nawaz then trapped the well-set de Kock lbw in the 25th over, sparking a middle-order collapse.

Abrar Ahmed capitalized on the opening, clean-bowling debutant Rubin Hermann and then striking twice in successive deliveries to dismiss Donovan Ferreira (7) and Corbin Bosch, reducing South Africa to 117-6. Nawaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi cleaned up the tail as the visitors were bundled out for just 143 in 37.5 overs.

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Abrar was the star of the bowling attack, claiming a career-best 4-27 in 10 overs, while Nawaz (2-31), Salman (2-18), and Shaheen (2-18) provided strong support.

In reply, Pakistan made light work of the chase. Young opener Saim Ayub led from the front with a stylish 77 off 70 balls, studded with 11 fours and a six.

He shared two solid partnerships — 64 runs with Babar Azam (27 off 32) for the second wicket and another 65 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (32 not out off 45) for the third. Pakistan reached the target comfortably in 25.1 overs at 144-3.

For South Africa, Nandre Burger (1-29) and Bjorn Fortuin (1-34) were the only wicket-takers.

Abrar Ahmed was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell, while Player of the Series honors went to South Africa’s Quinton de Kock for his consistent performances throughout the series.

Scores in brief:

South Africa – 143 all out in 37.5 overs (Quinton de Kock 53, Lhuan-dre Pretorius 39; Abrar Ahmed 4-27, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-18, Salman Ali Agha 2-18, Mohammad Nawaz 2-31)

Pakistan – 144-3 in 25.1 overs (Saim Ayub 77, Mohammad Rizwan 32 not out, Babar Azam 27; Nandre Burger 1-29, Bjorn Fortuin 1-34)

Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets

Player of the Match: Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan)

Player of the Series: Quinton de Kock (South Africa)