Abrar, Saim ensure Pakistan win series against South Africa

Abrar Ahmed’s four and Saim Ayub’s third ODI led Pakistan to a seven-wicket win over South Africa at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Victory by 24.5 overs sees the hosts seal a 2-1 series win in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first assignment as ODI captain.

The Pakistan Cricket Board praised the performance in its press release and match report.

After electing to bat first, South Africa got off to a decent start with a 72-run opening partnership between Quinton de Kock (53, 70b, 6x4s, 1×6) and Lhuan-dre-Pretorius (39, 45b, 4x4s, 1×6). Salman Ali Agha (4-0-18-2) removed the latter to break the partnership in the 15th over. Salman was then dismissed by Tony de Jorzi in the 19th over as the scoreboard read 87-2.

Mohammad Nawaz (9-0-31-2) trapped opener de Kock lbw in the 25th over to trigger a collapse for the visitors when they were 106-3. Just four deliveries later, Abrar bowled debutant Rubin Hermann for one.

Two overs later, Abrar worked his magic again, dismissing Donovan Ferreira (7) and Corbin Bosch in successive deliveries to leave South Africa on 117-6. Nawaz came in with another wicket in the next over as he removed Bjorn Fortuin.

South Africa’s woes deepened when Pakistan saw the back of skipper Matthew Bridget in the 34th over, who bowled Abrar to Mohammad Rizwan, who completed a sharp catch as the score read 130-8. Skipper Shaheen then cleaned up the tail to bowl South Africa out for 143 in 37.5 overs.

For Pakistan, Abrar spearheaded the attack with a career-best 4-27 in 10 overs. Nawaz, Agha and Shaheen (4.5-0-18-2) chipped in with two wickets each.

Pakistan chased down the total of 144 runs in 25.1 overs for the loss of three wickets. Opener Saim Ayub anchored the chase with a 70-ball 77 hitting 11 fours and a six.

Saim also put together a 64-run partnership with Babar Azam (27, 32b, 5x4s) for the second wicket and a 65-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan (32 not out, 45b, 3x4s, 1×6) for the third wicket.

For the tourists, Nandre Burger (1-29) and Bjorn Fortuin (1-34) took a wicket each.

Ratings in brief

Pakistan beat South Africa by seven wickets at the Iqbal Stadium

South Africa 143 all out, 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, 25.1 overs (Saim Ayub 77, Mohammad Rizwan 32 not out, Babar Azam 27; Nandre Burger 1-29, Bjorn Fortuin 1-34)

Man of the Match – Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan)

Player of the Series – Quinton de Kock (South Africa).