JOHANNESBURG: Pakistan completed a commanding 3-0 whitewash over South Africa in the ODI series with a thrilling 36-run victory in the final match at Wanderers Stadium.
The win further bolstered Mohammad Rizwan's reputation as a leader, marking his third consecutive series triumph as Pakistan’s captain.
Rizwan’s captaincy tenure began with a historic 2-1 series victory against Australia—their first on Australian soil since 2002—followed by a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe earlier this month.
In the third ODI, Pakistan set a formidable target of 309 runs.
South Africa started their chase strongly but ultimately fell short, managing only 271, thanks to an outstanding bowling effort by the Men in Green.
The Proteas’ innings faltered early when skipper Temba Bavuma was dismissed for just eight, leaving them at 25/1 in 3.2 overs.
Tony de Zorzi tried to counterattack with a brisk 26 off 23 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes, but his innings was cut short by a ferocious bouncer from Shaheen Afridi.
At 44/2, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram steadied the innings with a cautious partnership.
However, debutant Sufiyan Muqeem struck with the first ball of his spell, dismissing Markram for 19.
Mohammad Hasnain then broke a developing 40-run stand between Van der Dussen and David Miller, dismissing Van der Dussen for 35 off 52 balls and leaving South Africa at 120/4 in 19.5 overs.
Two overs later, Saim Ayub added to Pakistan's dominance by dismissing David Miller for eight, reducing South Africa to 123/5.
A crucial 91-run partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen followed, briefly shifting momentum.
Klaasen showcased aggressive intent, smashing 81 off 43 balls with 12 boundaries and two sixes, but his blistering knock ended when Shaheen Afridi struck again.
Jansen contributed a steady 26 off 22 balls before falling to Sufiyan Muqeem, leaving the Proteas struggling at 212/7 in 32 overs.
Despite Corbin Bosch's late heroics, it was not enough, as South Africa were bundled out for 271 in 42 overs.
For Pakistan, Sufiyan Muqeem was exceptional with the ball, registering figures of 4/52 in eight overs.
He was well-supported by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who picked up two wickets each, while Saim Ayub and Mohammad Hasnain claimed one wicket apiece.
After being asked to bat, Pakistan faced early challenges, but Ayub's commanding knock proved instrumental in building a defendable target.
Abdullah Shafique registered his third consecutive duck of the series, falling for a golden duck on the second delivery of the match.
Babar Azam and Saim Ayub steadied the innings with a vital 114-run partnership for the second wicket.
Babar contributed a measured 52 off 71 balls, including seven boundaries, before being dismissed by Lutho Maphaka in the 23rd over, leaving Pakistan at 115/2.
Ayub continued to shine, crafting a brilliant 101 off 94 deliveries, including 13 boundaries and two sixes.
This marked his third ODI century and his second of the series. Ayub's dismissal in the 35th over at 208/3 triggered a brief collapse, with Kamran Ghulam falling for a golden duck in the very next over.
Despite the setbacks, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha kept the momentum alive.
Rizwan notched his 15th ODI half-century, scoring 53 off 52 balls, while Agha played a crucial knock, smashing 48 runs off 32 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes, before falling just short of a fifty.
Shaheen Afridi became the third batter in the lineup to be dismissed for a duck, leaving Pakistan at 297/7 in 46 overs.
In the final over, Pakistan lost two more wickets as set batter Tayyab Tahir (28) and Mohammad Hasnain (4) were dismissed by Marco Jansen.
Naseem Shah struck a boundary off his very first delivery and took a single off the final ball, helping Pakistan finish their innings at 308/9 in 50 overs.
With the ball, Kagiso Rabada led the attack, taking 3/56 in his 10-over spell.
He was supported by Bjorn Fortuin and Marco Jansen, who picked up two wickets each, while Lutho Maphaka and Corbin Bosch claimed one wicket apiece.
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam