3rd ODI: South Africa win toss, bat first against Pakistan 

Faisalabad (Web Desk): South Africa chose to bat first after winning the toss against Pakistan in the final One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors entered the contest with renewed confidence after outclassing Pakistan in the previous fixture, where they comfortably chased a 270-run target to secure a commanding eight-wicket victory. 
That result leveled the series at 1-1, setting up a thrilling finale at the same venue.

In the second ODI, South Africa’s batting unit showcased complete dominance, reaching the target with ease—losing just two wickets and still having 59 deliveries left.

The chase began explosively with openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock adding 81 runs for the first wicket.

Their partnership set the tone before Mohammad Wasim Jr struck in the 12th over, dismissing Pretorius for 46 off 40 balls, an innings laced with seven boundaries and a six.

Following Pretorius’s departure, Tony de Zorzi joined de Kock at the crease, and the duo consolidated the innings with a match-defining 153-run stand for the second wicket.

Their partnership ended when Faheem Ashraf got de Zorzi caught at point in the 35th over. De Zorzi made a sparkling 76 from 63 deliveries, peppered with nine fours and three sixes.

Quinton de Kock remained the standout performer, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 123 from 119 balls.

His innings featured eight fours and seven sixes, ensuring South Africa cruised to victory with captain Matthew Breetzke finishing on 16 not out from 20 balls.

For Pakistan, only Wasim Jr and Faheem Ashraf managed to claim wickets. Earlier, the hosts had posted 269 for nine in their allotted 50 overs, boosted by a late burst of runs in the closing overs.

Teams

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Matthew Breetzke (c), Donovan Ferreira, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Nqabayomzi Peter, and Lungi Ngidi.