PAK VS SA: Proteas restricted to 144 as Abrar Ahmed takes four in ODI decider

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s bowlers kept a tight grip on the proceedings, with Abrar Ahmed picking up key four wickets that restricted the Proteas batting line to a modest 143-run total in the PAK VS SA ODI series decider.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock went in the beginning to open the innings of their side. The top order scored (39 off 45) and (53 off 70) each respectively, creating momentum for following batters. However, the forthcoming batters couldn’t manage a big difference as the Greens did give an all time tough momentum to them in the PAK VS SA ODI decider.

South Africa batting line

Out of all the best batting performers were only the top order batter as said above, however there were a few others too who pushed their scoring total for a little high.

Following top order, Tony de Zorzi and Mathew Breetzke scored only 2 and 16 but were downed by Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed each respectively.

Rubin Hermann managed just a single run before falling to Abrar Ahmed, who soon struck again to dismiss Donovan Ferreira for 7. Abrar continued his fine spell, sending Corbin Bosch back for a duck to tighten the grip. Bjorn Fortuin chipped in with 3 runs before being removed by Mohammad Nawaz. Nqaba Peter offered brief resistance with 16 before Shaheen Afridi broke through to end his stay. Nandre Burger remained unbeaten on 3, while Lungi Ngidi fell without scoring — another scalp for Shaheen, who maintained a tight and lethal line throughout.

The three-match contest is evenly poised at 1-1, making this final clash crucial for both sides. Pakistan, under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi, are desperate to break their streak of back-to-back series losses to New Zealand and the West Indies. A win today would not only seal the series but also restore much-needed confidence ahead of their upcoming assignments.

Pakistan’s lineup features Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman at the top, followed by skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan in the middle order. Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, and Faheem Ashraf provide all-round options, while Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Jr make up the bowling attack.

For South Africa, Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius will open the innings, with Tony de Zorzi, captain Matthew Breetzke, and Sinethemba Qeshile strengthening the middle order. Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, and Lizaad Williams complete their XI.

The head-to-head record favours South Africa, who have won 53 of the 89 ODIs between the two sides, while Pakistan have claimed 35 victories, with one match ending without a result.