South African pacer Kagiso Rabada shone with three wickets as Pakistan set a 309-run target in the rain-affected third and final ODI at Wanderers Stadium, Sandton, on Sunday.
The match, reduced to 47 overs per side due to rain, saw Pakistan post 308/9. Opening batter Saim Ayub delivered an extraordinary century, laying the foundation for the competitive total despite early setbacks.
Pakistan, opting to bat first, faced an immediate challenge as Abdullah Shafique registered his third consecutive duck of the series, dismissed on the second delivery. However, captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub steadied the innings with a 114-run stand for the second wicket.
Babar scored a composed 52 off 71 balls, featuring seven boundaries, before falling to Lutho Maphaka in the 23rd over at 115/2. Ayub carried the innings forward with an impressive 101 off 94 deliveries, including 13 boundaries and two sixes. His stellar knock marked his third ODI century and second in the series.
Ayub's dismissal at 208/3 triggered a brief collapse, as Kamran Ghulam was dismissed for a golden duck. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha then steadied the innings, with Rizwan contributing 53 off 52 balls for his 15th ODI half-century, and Agha scoring a crucial 48 off 32 balls.
Shaheen Afridi became the third batter dismissed for a duck as Pakistan struggled in the final overs. Tayyab Tahir (28) and Mohammad Hasnain (4) also fell cheaply in the final over, leaving Pakistan at 308/9.
South Africa’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Rabada, who took 3/56 in 10 overs. Bjorn Fortuin and Marco Jansen chipped in with two wickets each, while Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch claimed one apiece.
South Africa now faces a stiff 309-run chase to secure victory in the series decider.
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