Match Center

That is it from the ODI series. Pakistan have managed to win the 50-over format by 2-1. The action now moves to the shortest format. Pakistan will look to win that as well while South Africa will be eager to avenge for the ODI series loss. The 4-match T20I series starts on Saturday, 10th April. The first T20I begins at 1430 local (1230 GMT). Make sure you join us for that. Till then, goodbye and take care!

For his blistering 94, Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam is also named the Player of the Match. Babar says that it was fun today especially after the start the openers gave them. Tells they gave him the momentum to play well. Babar says that when they lost wickets, he was just telling the new batters that if they get partnership it will be better. Credits Hasan Ali for playing the knock he played. Babar says he was surprised to play spin but tells when he saw the wicket he knew that spinner would be used more and they were prepared for it. Credits the team for putting up a good total. Babar says it was a very important series as winning in South Africa has given them a lot of confidence and tells they are looking to carry this confidence into the T20I series.

For his brilliant performance with the bat throughout the series, Fakhar Zaman is named the Player of the Series. Fakhar says that his plan was simple. He was looking to play normally in the first 10 overs. Fakhar says that it is not easy to bat in the morning and the plan was to survive the first 10 overs. Fakhar says it means a lot as he had not scored for the past two years and it was important. Thanks the skipper for believing in him and backing him. Fakhar says he is happier to win the series.

South Africa skipper, Temba Bavuma, is not available so their coach Mark Boucher stands in for him. Boucher says that they are disappointed to lose the series at home. Credits Pakistan for the way they played. Tells they lost the game at the back end with the ball and feels not taking wickets early cost them. Boucher says they were setting small targets. Tells they tried to work hard and felt spin was the best option but admits they might have bowled one too many. Boucher says that they played well in certain stages of the game but adds when they have been bad they have been very bad and Pakistan have made them pay for it. Tells there are a lot of positives to take but right now there is a lot of disappointment. Boucher says there is no excuse. Tells there is a lot of work to be done and says it is never easy to lose and hopes they can get some special performance in T20Is. Boucher says Bavuma does not look good and tells they could see he was struggling. Adds he is not too sure about his near future regarding his injury.

Earlier in the evening, Pakistan were put to bat. They responded really well as once again their top 3 managed to get runs. Fakhar continued his form and scored another ton. Imam too played well for his 57. The foundation was laid but the middle order failed. Babar though stuck like a glue and a fiery finish by the Pakistan skipper and Hasan Ali managed to take the side to 320, a total that proved to be good enough to seal the series. Keshav Maharaj was the star with the ball for South Africa as he finished with a 3-fer.

A very good bowling display from Pakistan. They needed to ensure to keep getting wickets at regular intervals and that is what they did. They never let South Africa get ahead of the run rate while also putting brakes with regular wickets. Barring Faheem Ashraf all the other 5 bowlers got at least a wicket. Nawaz was the pick of the lot as he finished with 3-fer. Rauf delivered at crunch situations and finished with 2 wickets. Shaheen too managed to grab 3. Usman and Hasan Ali got one each but the latter was quite expensive. In the end the overall efforts of the bowlers was good enough to seal the series.

Chasing 321, South Africa got off to a decent start as the openers got off to a 50-run stand. But Markram failed to convert his start. JJ Smuts and Temba Bavuma also sailed the same boat. Janneman Malan played a very good hand of 70 but failed to convert it into a telling ton. At 140/5, all hope looked lost. Kyle Verryenne and Andile Phehlukwayo though kept the hosts in the game. The pair added 108-run with both getting their fifties. That though was not enough as both the batters departed in quick succession and all but sealed the game for Pakistan. Maharaj and Dupavillon played a small cameo but it was too little too late.

Pakistan have done the job and won the 3-match ODI series, 2-1. They have been on the receiving end of a lot of series in South Africa against them but they have found a way to get over the line and seal the series.

OUT! BOWLED! Yorker on middle, Dupavillon fails to dig it out but misses it and gets bowled. PAKISTAN WIN BY 28 RUNS!

Bouncer on middle, Dupavillon looks to pull but misses it.

Short ball on middle, Sipamla pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Full toss on middle, Dupavillon smashes it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

NOT OUT! Dupavillon is safe! Yorker on middle, Dupavillon hits it down the ground for a couple. Hasan Ali takes the bails off at his end. It is referred upstairs. Replays show that Sipamla's dive has saved him.

PLAY AND A MISS! Slower ball outside off, Dupavillon looks to swing at it but misses it.

Short ball on middle, Sipamla looks to pull but gets a top edge. It lands safely towards fine leg. The batsmen cross ends.

Length delivery on off, Dupavillon hits it towards mid off for a quick single.

Full delivery on leg, Sipamla looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards fine leg. The batsmen take a leg bye.