South Africa win toss, opt tobat first in final ODI against Pakistan

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first in the third and final One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against Pakistan at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD channel.

The series is levelled at 1-1. And today’s match will decide the winner of the series.

Pakistan had defeated South Africa in the first match by two wickets, while the Proteas won the second match on Thursday.

Quinton de Kock revived his international career with a fluent 22nd ODI century as South Africa outclassed Pakistan by eight wickets in the second match and leveled the series 1-1.

The left-handed de Kock, who reversed his 2023 ODI retirement before the white-ball series in Pakistan, smashed an unbeaten 123 off 119 balls in the Proteas' chase of 270-2 in 40.1 overs. 

Fast bowler Nandre Burger (4-46) and leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter (3-55) picked up career-best figures to restrict Pakistan to 269-9 after South Africa lost its seventh consecutive toss on the tour. 

A large crowd is expected to throng the stadium today as Pakistan seeks to cement its dominant home record at Iqbal Stadium where the national side has played 14 ODIs, winning 10 and losing four.

In comparison, South Africa has featured in seven ODIs at this venue, securing victories in three while facing defeat in four matches.

Earlier, both sides had also competed in Test and T20 series. The Test series ended 1-1 whereas Pakistan triumphed in the T20 series by 2-1.

SQUADS

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

South Africa XI: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke (capt), Rubin Hermann, Donovan Ferreira, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Nqabayomzi Peter