South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan in the third and final ODI of the three-match series at the Iqbal Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
After winning the toss, the South African captain said that over 290 would be good. “In a game like this, we feel that running on the board will be important… Kechel will be out due to injury. Robin Herrmann will make his debut, and Ngidi will replace Linde.”
Shaheen Afridi said that Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf returned, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim were rested.
Shaheen Afridi said Naseem Shah and Mohammad Waseem are resting. Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf return to the starting lineup. Robin Hermann makes his debut, Ngidi replaces Linde for South Africa.
In the previous match, South Africa put up a brilliant batting display, comfortably chasing down a target of 270 runs to defeat Pakistan by eight wickets.
The crushing win helped South Africa level the series against Pakistan at 1-1, with the third and final ODI scheduled to be played at the same venue on Saturday.
The touring side made light work of the 270-run target set by Pakistan as they achieved a total for the loss of just two wickets and 59 balls to spare.
South Africa got off to a scintillating start in the chase thanks to a blistering 81-run stand between openers Luan Dre Pretorius and De Kock.
The return of Mohamed Waseem Junior provided the home side with a much-needed lead in the 12th minute by setting Pretorius at the back. The opener made a 40-ball 46 with the help of seven fours and a six.
Following his dismissal, Tony De Zorzi joined De Kock in the middle, and the duo strengthened South Africa’s position by compiling 153 runs for the second wicket.
The match-winning partnership culminated in the 35th minute when Faheem Ashraf caught Dzorze at point. He came back having scored 76 runs off just 63 deliveries, smashing nine fours and three sixes.
Quinton de Kock, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way and top-scored with an unbeaten 123 off 119 deliveries, studded with eight fours and seven sixes. He had notable support from captain Matthew Bretzke, who made 16 off 20 balls.
For Pakistan, Wasim Junior and Fahim could pick up a wicket each.
Opting to bat first, the home team finished at 269/9 in the allotted 50 overs, thanks to a late attack.
Playing eleven:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Luan Dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Robin Herrmann, Matthew Bretzke (c), Donovan Ferreira, Corbin Bosch, Björn Fortuyn, Nandre Berger, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lungi Ngidi.
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