3rd ODI: Pakistan beat South Africa by 28 runs

Pakistan became only the 2nd touring team after Australia to win at least 2 bilateral ODI series against South Africa in South Africa. Fakhar Zaman's brilliant 101 and captain Babar Azam's quickfire 94 helped Pakistan beat South Africa by 28 runs in the 3rd ODI at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. With the win, the visitors sealed the 3-match ODI series 2-1.

Pakistan were the first Asian side to beat South Africa in a bilateral ODI series in South Africa when a Misbah-ul-Haq-led side won a 3-match series 2-1. By emulating the result from 8 years ago, Babar Azam-led Pakistan have become the first Asian side to win 2 bilateral ODI series against the Proteas at their own backyard. Notably, India are the only other visiting Asian team to beat South Africa -- 5-1 win in 2018.

Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman made sure his hundred resulted in a win for Pakistan on Wednesday. Days after getting out for 193, Fakhar carried his good form



into the crucial series decider as he slammed 101 from 104 balls. Captain Babar Azam hit an 82-ball 94 as he provided the late impetus to help Pakistan post a challenging total of 320.

It was an innings where Fakhar stamped his authority and proved the Johannesburg masterclass was not a one-off thing. Fakhar suffered a heartbreak on Sunday as he was run-out, 7 runs short of a well-deserved double hundred, which could have been his 2nd in ODI cricket. Fakhar was deceived by Quinton de Kock who has been accused of 'fake fielding' as the South Africa wicketkeeper's tactics led to a social media debate.

However, Fakhar seemed to have put behind the run-out row to play a crucial hand in the series decider. The left-handed opener hit 3 sixes and as many as 9 boundaries as he stitched a 112-run opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq. Captain Babar was at his fluent best as he upped the ante with 3 sixes and 7 boundaries, helping Pakistan's tally go past 300.