Pakistan defeated South Africa by seven wickets in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) on Saturday at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, winning the three-match series 2-1.
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, but struggled against disciplined Pakistani bowling.
The visitors were bowled out for 143 runs in 37.5 overs, failing to complete their allotted 50 overs.
Pakistan chased the modest target comfortably, reaching 144 in 25.1 overs for the loss of three wickets.
Openers Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius provided a solid start, putting on 72 runs.
Pretorius scored 39 before falling to Salman Ali Agha, hitting four fours and a six.
De Kock carried his innings to a half-century but was dismissed for 53 by Mohammad Nawaz, ending as South Africa’s top scorer with six fours and a six.
After de Kock’s dismissal, Abrar Ahmed trapped South African batsmen in his spin net but missed completing a hat-trick.
The remaining batsmen struggled, with captain Matthew Breetzke and Nqabayomzi Pet scoring only 16 each, while Tony de Zorzi (2), Robin Hermann (1), Donovan Ferreira (7), Corbin Bosch (0), and Jurie Fourie (3) offered little resistance.
Abrar Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, claiming four wickets for 27 runs in 10 overs. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Ali Agha, and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each.
For the final ODI, Pakistan made two changes, bringing in Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed in place of Mohammad Wasim Jr and Naseem Shah.
South Africa also made two changes, including Lungi Ngidi and debutant Robin Hermann replacing George Linde and the injured Sinethemba Qeshile.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said he would have chosen to field first even if his team had won the toss.
Ahead of the match, both teams participated in practice sessions to fine-tune batting, bowling, and fielding ahead of the decider.
Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Fakhar Zaman, Syed Ayyub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Robin Hermann, Donovan Ferreira, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Jon Fourie, Nqabayomzi Pet, Nandre Burger.
The series had been level at 1-1, with Pakistan winning the first ODI by two wickets and South Africa taking the second by eight wickets.
Previously, Pakistan and South Africa had played Test and T20 series, with the Test series drawn and Pakistan winning the T20 series 2-1.
This marks Pakistan’s first ODI series win at home against South Africa, although Pakistan had previously won both ODI series played in South Africa.
