Pakistan beat SA in 3rd ODI, win series: Records broken
Another incredible century by Fakhar Zaman powered Pakistan's victory in the third ODI against South Africa. Winning the match by 28 runs, the visitors sealed the three-match ODI series 2-1. Skipper Babar Azam was in the act too, having slammed an 82-ball 94. Notably, Pakistan have now attained the second spot on the ICC Men's CWC Super League Standings. Here are the records broken.
Pakistan were off to a solid start after South Africa elected to bowl. Opener Fakhar smashed a second consecutive ton, taking Pakistan past 200. Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq (57) and Babar (94) also made notable contributions. Hasan Ali's quick-fire cameo (32* off 11 balls) guided the tourists to 320/7. Although South Africa were also impressive in the run-chase, they fell 28 runs short.
After playing an incredible knock in the second ODI, Fakhar was on the charge this time as well. He slammed his sixth ODI hundred, and second of the series. He went on to score 101 off 104 balls with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes. Fakhar finished with most runs in the series (302), and was adjudged the Player of the Series.
After the series win, Pakistan have climbed to the second spot in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League standings. They have now won four out of six matches, having attained 40 points (NRR: 0.426). Notably, the standings are led by England. They have won four and lost five ODIs, as of now. They also own 40 points with an NRR of 0.468.
This is Pakistan's second ODI series victory in South Africa in eight years. They defeated the Proteas 2-1 in their own backyard in 2013/14. With this, Pakistan have become the only team from Asia to win an ODI series twice in South Africa.
The Pakistani top-order was on fire in the third ODI. Openers Imam and Fakhar shared a 112-run stand before the former departed. In the process, Imam brought up his ninth ODI fifty (57). Meanwhile, Fakhar added another 94 runs with skipper Babar. The latter raced to his 17th ODI fifty, and ended up scoring 94 off 82 balls.
Despite the absence of star players, SA fought well in the run-chase. Opener Janneman Malan brought up his maiden ODI fifty before departing on 70. Middle-order batsman Kyle Verreynne too showed resistance with a 53-ball 62. He made a brief recovery for SA by smashing his second ODI fifty. Although Andile Phehlukwayo also recorded his second ODI half-century (54), he failed to carry on.
