3rd T20: Pakistan win toss, decide to bowl first against South Africa 

Lahore (Web Desk): Pakistan elected to bowl first after winning the toss in the decisive T20 International against South Africa at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

The contest carries extra weight as both sides have met 27 times in the shortest format, each securing 13 wins, leaving their rivalry finely balanced.

Both teams entered the final showdown riding on similar confidence, having dominated one another in the earlier fixtures of the series.

In the opening clash held in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, South Africa outplayed Pakistan with a comprehensive 55-run triumph, successfully defending their 195-run total by dismissing the hosts for just 139.

Pakistan hit back emphatically in the second encounter, skittling the Proteas for a mere 110 in 19.2 overs before easing to the target with nine wickets intact and 41 balls left.

The two sides last locked horns in a bilateral T20 series in December of the previous year, which South Africa won 2-0 at home after the third game was washed out by rain.

Teams

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq.

South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira(c), George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams and Ottneil Baartman.