- Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets to win the four-match T20I series 3-1
Centurion, 16 April 2021: A belligerent batting display from Fakhar Zaman and three wickets each from Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali guided Pakistan to a tense three-wicket win over South Africa in a last over thriller to clinch the T20I series 3-1 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday.
This was Pakistan's second T20I series win in South Africa following their 1-0 win in the two-match 2013 series.
Chasing 145 to win, Pakistan were well on course for an easy win when they collapsed from 92 for one to 129 for seven in a space of 55 balls. Mohammad Nawaz (25 not out off 21, one four, two sixes) helped the side get past the target as he hit a six off the penultimate ball of the match.
The platform was laid by Fakhar who hit five fours and four sixes in a knock of 60 from 34 balls. Babar Azam was other notable run-getter with 24 off 23, hitting three fours. The pair added 91 runs for the second-wicket.
Earlier, after being put into bat for the second consecutive time, South Africa were bowled out for 144 in 19.3 overs.
Rassie van der Dussen top-scored with 52 off 36, hitting five fours and two sixes. Opener Janeman Malan contributed a 28-ball 33, laced with three fours and a six. The pair added 57 runs for the second-wicket.
The hosts collapsed from 109 for two to 144 all out, largely due to potent bowling spells from Faheem, Hasan and Haris Rauf who shared eight wickets between them.
Faheem and Hasan ended-up taking three for 17 and 40 runs, respectively, while Haris took two for 18 in 3.3 overs. Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi took a wicket apiece.
Faheem for his brilliant spell was awarded player-of-the-match, while Babar was declared player-of-the-series for scoring 210 runs in four matches at 52.50.
Pakistan team will now travel to Harare, Zimbabwe on 17 April, where they will feature in a three-match T20I and two Test-match series starting from 21 April.
Scores in brief
South Africa 144 all out, 19.3 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 52, Janeman Malan 33; Faheem Ashraf 3-17, Hasan Ali 3-40, Haris Rauf 2-18)
Pakistan 149-7, 19.5 overs (Fakhar Zaman 60, Mohammad Nawaz 25 not out, Babar Azam 24; Sisanda Magala 2-33, Lizaad Williams 2-39)
Result Pakistan beat South Africa by three wickets
Player-of-the-Match – Faheem Ashraf
Player-of-the-Series – Babar Azam
