Pakistan out-classed South Africa in all departments to take home the ODI trophy and valuable ICC CWC Super League points.
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Pakistan defeated South Africa by 28 runs to win the three-match ODI series by a 2-1 margin. The series decider took place at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Babar Azam was named as the Player of the Match, following his 82-ball 94 which helped Pakistan reach a total of 320/7, after being sent in to bat. However, the top scorer for the Asian side was opener Fakhar Zaman, who accumulated 101 runs off 104 deliveries. Zaman’s knock comprised nine boundaries and three sixes. He was named the Player of the Series.
302 runs
100.66 average
Two centuriesFor his brilliant performance, Fakhar Zaman has been named the Player of the Series #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/BeZb5PR8MQ
— ICC (@ICC) April 7, 2021
Imam-ul-Haq scored a gritty 57 off 73 deliveries, on the back of three boundaries. He stitched a partnership of 112 runs with Zaman, helping Pakistan get off to a strong start. However, the Asian side again lost its way following Azam’s dismissal, with four batsmen unable to cross the margin of 20 runs.
Mohammed Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz failed to make their presence felt. The four cricketers registered scores of 2, 13, 1 and 4 respectively, departing silently to the pavilion. Hasan Ali helped Pakistan finish strongly with a 11-ball 32 which comprised of a boundary and four sixes. Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram were the pick of the bowlers respectively for the Proteas, accounting for three and two wickets respectively.
South Africa openers Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram, got off to a strong start with a 50-run stand in nearly nine overs. However, the dismissal of Markram was followed by a mini-collapse as JJ Smuts and skipper Temba Bavuma departed without troubling the scorers. Kyle Verreynne and Andile Phehlukwayo scored half-centuries to keep South Africa in the hunt. However, lack of support from the other batsmen resulted in the Proteas being bowled out short of the target.
Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz were the top performers with the ball, accounting for three dismissals apiece. Haris Rauf provided valuable support, picking two wickets.
South Africa fielded an inexperienced team, with the main players in India for the upcoming edition of IPL.
