PRETORIA, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman hit a spectacular half-century as they survived a scare to seal a three-wicket victory over South Africa with a ball to spare and win the Twenty20 International four-match series 3-1 yesterday.
South Africa, losing most of their regular players either due to injury or having been released to play in the Indian Premier League, were sent into bats but could only collect 144 total in 19.3 overs.
Fakhar then tasted 60 of 34 balls in Pakistan’s reply as he threw 91 for the second wicket with captain Babar Azam (24 of 23), at which point the tourists cruised to victory needing 53 of 65 balls with nine wicket in hand.
But when the two were out in one over by sailor Lizaad Williams (2-39), a host of wickets and some tight bowling brought South Africa back into the game.
Mohammad Nawaz (25 of 21) eventually scored the winning runs as he hooked Williams to the center of the wicket for six off the penultimate ball of the match to complete a memorable series victory.
Only three players reached double figures in South African pubs, with Rassie van der Dussen (52 of 36) and Janneman Malan (33 of 28) as major contributors.
They were checked by superb bowling by Faheem Ashraf (3-17 in four overs), Hasan Ali (3-40) and Haris Rauf (2-18) but, as is the case throughout the series, there has also been some of poor shot selection.
Full strength Pakistan also won the three-day One-Day International series 2-1.