Pakistan secured their fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series victory with an impressive performance in the Pak vs SA 3rd ODI. This triumph followed previous series wins against Australia and Zimbabwe, showcasing their growing dominance in the 50-over format. The win also marked Pakistan’s third ODI series victory in South Africa, making them the first Asian team to achieve this feat. Previous successes in South Africa came in 2021 and 2013.
Building Momentum for the Champions Trophy
This victory helps Pakistan build significant momentum ahead of the next year’s Champions Trophy. The team is aiming to become only the second side in history to defend the title, after Australia won back-to-back trophies in 2006 and 2009. Pakistan’s stunning performance in the Pak vs SA 3rd ODI makes them one of the favorites heading into the 2025 Champions Trophy, especially considering their current form in 50-over matches.
Rizwan Praises Team Effort, Ghulam Shines in Pak vs SA 3rd ODI
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, expressed his joy at the team’s remarkable performance, highlighting the collective effort and individual brilliance. Rizwan singled out Kamran Ghulam for his match-winning knock, which came through aggressive late hitting. “It was a fantastic team effort with everyone performing exceptionally well,” Rizwan said in the post-match presentation. He praised Saim Ayub for providing a solid start, which allowed Babar Azam and himself to stabilize the innings. However, it was Ghulam’s explosive batting that pushed Pakistan’s total to over 320 runs, well beyond their initial target of 300.
“As a skipper, I had faith in Kamran Ghulam, but I didn’t expect him to play like he did tonight. He showed a completely different side of his game,” Rizwan added. Having played with Ghulam in their native region of KPK and Peshawar, Rizwan emphasized the player’s potential as a bright prospect for Pakistan.
South Africa’s Late Fade Costs Them the Game
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, was disappointed by the late fade from his batters, which allowed Pakistan to finish strong. Despite solid contributions from Heinrich Klaasen (97) and Tony de Zorzi (34), the South African chase fell apart in the final stages. Bavuma acknowledged the slip in momentum, saying, “We had things under control in the first 25 overs, but we let them express themselves in the last 25. We let the good work in the first 25 overs slip away.”
Match Summary: Pak vs SA 3rd ODI
- Pakistan’s Total: 329 all out (Mohammad Rizwan 80, Babar Azam 73, Kamran Ghulam 55, Kwena Maphaka 4/72)
- South Africa’s Total: 247 all out (Heinrich Klaasen 97, Tony de Zorzi 34, Shaheen Afridi 4/47)
Pakistan’s dominant performance in the Pak vs. SA 3rd ODI highlights its strength as it prepares for major international events like the Champions Trophy in 2025.
