Babar Azam (MOM and Winning Captain): It was a lot of fun today how both the openers gave us the start and I wanted to take the momentum and finish the innings. We had the momentum but we lost back to back wickets and I only told the new batsmen coming in to we need to get partnerships that will be good for the team. I would like to give credit to Hasan Ali for the way he helped me utilize those two overs that helped me finish the game. It was a surprise but when we saw the wicket yesterday I had an idea that the spinners will come into play and we were prepared for it. I would credit the whole team again for the way we put up a good total and defended it. It was a very important series for us especially coming to South Africa and it gives lot of confidence. The individual performances also give us confidence as a player and a group and we will try to carry forward the same in the T20I series and win it.
Fakhar Zaman (Player of the Series): My plan was very simple. I was just looking to survive in the first eight to ten overs and I was just trying to play normally. To be honest, these grounds in the morning it's not easy to bat specially with two new balls so the plan was simple that we will just survive the first ten overs. It means a lot. Last two years I did not score much so it was really necessary for me and also for my team. Thanks to the skipper for believing in me and giving me these opportunities and I'm so happy specially with the win and we won the series.
Mark Boucher, Head Coach, South Africa (Standing in for Temba Bavuma): Obviously disappointed to lose a series in home conditions. But well played to Pakistan. We gave ourselves a chance today, it's just key moments towards the backend of our bowling and just losing few too many wickets upfront I think cost us. I think we've played in pockets. We played well at certain stages of the game. When we've been bad unfortunately we've been very bad. That's where Pakistan really capitalized. This game, three starts in the top four on very good wickets and guys not going through I guess is where we put ourselves under pressure. A couple of guys put in good performances, so a lot of positives to take but right now, a lot disappointment as well as we lost the series.
(On Bavuma) He doesn't look good I'm afraid. He wanted to try carrying on batting but we could see that he was struggling. Unfortunately for him I'm not too sure if the near future is too good for him.
Pakistan winning the game and the series as well then after a fine performance with both bat and ball! Coming to South Africa with the momentum from their home series earlier against them and carrying it forward to start the tour off with a bang here! Certainly a big moment for Pakistan this and they were delighted and rightly so as well. Putting up 320 on the board after a good batting display and then coming out to defend that total in the end.
South Africa started well in the chase with a good partnership at the top with Janneman Malan taking charge. A fifty plus stand but then Pakistan came back to pick wickets, ensuring they do not get those partnerships and put a break in their momentum. When it looked difficult for South Africa, Kyle Verrreynne and Andile Phehlukwayo stitching a crucial hundred plus stand, getting to their respective fifties but it was too much to do for them in the end as Pakistan came back yet again to pick those wickets at the right time.
Three wickets for Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheed Afridi, two for Haris Rauf and one each for Hasan and the debutant Usman Qadir. All in all, an all-round bowling performance as they kept that pressure constantly on the batsmen and did not allow them to get away, which made it way too tough for the hosts to get close to the total in the end. Some really good variations seen throughout the innings from the Pakistan bowlers and that will be a big positive for them to go with the batting effort early on.
That onslaught from Babar towards the end proving costly for South Africa and that is where those extra runs really made the difference for them. Unable to get partnerships in the middle after losing wickets and they needed a lot more firepower to chase that down. They came back well to win the second ODI and take it to the decider but it's Pakistan who have come out on top to clinch the series 2-1 and set this tour up for another thrilling battle as we head into the T20Is now. They have the momentum and will want to carry it forward as well. Can the hosts redeem themselves in that series or will Pakistan walk away with two series wins against South Africa in South Africa? Only time will tell but for the moment, joy for the visitors and disappointment for the hosts! Presentation coming your way soon as we take your leave with that!
Game done and dusted done! Shaheen accounting for the final wicket and Pakistan has wrapped this up in style to win the series as well. Brilliant all-round performance from them and they will be overjoyed with how they have gone about their business beating South Africa in their own backyard!
49.3 Shaheen Shah Afridi to Daryn Dupavillon, OUT! BOWLED! Pakistan win by 28 runs and clinch the series 2-1! It's all over and Shaheen lets out a roar to let the world know about this historic feat. Full, fast and in the blockhole and a Shaheen yorker was a little too good to handle for Dupavillon!
49.2 Shaheen Shah Afridi to Daryn Dupavillon, BOUNCER! Short one this time, with good height and Dupavillon misses out on the pull shot. Shaheen follows through to have a word with him as well!
49.1 Shaheen Shah Afridi to Lutho Sipamla, short ball gets big on the batsman looking to pull this one away, gets it into the vacant region for a single
Shaheen Shah with the final over!
South Africa trying hard but way too much left to do in the end for them and this game does go into the final over, but only as a formality as Pakistan are in the position to win this game. Hasan going for runs again and he will have to improve his game big time!
Over: 49 |
Summary: 1lb 1 1 0 2 4
Bowler: Hasan Ali
Score: 291/9
48.6 Hasan Ali to Daryn Dupavillon, FOUR! Full-toss at the stumps and Dupavillon pulls this one away in the gap to the square-leg region for a boundary to finish the over. Poor ball!
48.5 Hasan Ali to Daryn Dupavillon, full ball on stump line and Dupavillon digs this one down to the fielder at long-on for a couple as Sipamla makes it back with a full stretch dive!
48.4 Hasan Ali to Daryn Dupavillon, full ball outside the off-stump and Dupavillon looking to cream this one away fails to connect
48.3 Hasan Ali to Lutho Sipamla, FALLS SAFE! Short ball takes the top edge on the pull and it falls in no man's land this time
48.2 Hasan Ali to Daryn Dupavillon, OUCH! Full ball at the stumps and Dupavillon clears his front leg and plays this one hard back to the non striker who could not get out of the way, they take a single
48.1 Hasan Ali to Lutho Sipamla, length ball hurries into the batsman as Sipamla looks to turn this one away and het gets this one off the pads to the leg side for a leg-bye
Too little too late for South Africa this, some magnificent hitting from their tail but it's not going to help the cause is it? A wicket for Shaheen and Pakistan will want to finish this off without having to go into the final over. Good finish from him and a good response after being hit for a couple of shots!
47.6 Shaheen Shah Afridi to Daryn Dupavillon, BOUNCER! Short ball again and it catches Dupavillon in an awkward position on the pull. Shaheen lets out a more vicious stare and he was definitely not happy with the boundaries early on!
Total Score
Bowlers
Fall of Wickets
