Captain Babar Azam hailed a rare series win by Pakistan in South Africa after they defeated the hosts by 28 runs in the third and final ODI in Centurion on Wednesday to take the 50-over leg of the tour 2-1.
The star batsman said Pakistan wanted to continue winning when they go into a four-match Twenty20 series which starts in Johannesburg on Saturday.
"It's a confidence game and we gained a lot of confidence," he said. "We will take that and try and win the T20 series."
South Africa, without five key players because of Indian Premier League commitments, suffered two further blows when key batsman Rassie van der Dussen had to withdraw before the match with a quad injury, while captain Temba Bavuma appeared to suffer a hamstring injury, which could put his participation in the T20 series in doubt.
Opener Fakhar Zaman hit 101 off 104 balls, his second successive century, and Babar made 94 off 82 deliveries to set up Pakistan's win. Babar was named man-of-the-match and Fakhar took the man-of-the-series award.
"It means a lot," said Fakhar. "For two years I didn't score that much."
Fakhar followed up his sensational 193 in the second match in Johannesburg with a measured start, scoring his first 50 off 62 balls before accelerating to his hundred.
"My plan was very simple," he said. "I was trying to play normally for the first 10 overs. On these grounds in the morning it is not easy to play with two new balls."
Congratulations to Pakistan on a fine series win. Great to see Fakhar follow his brilliant innings in Jo'Burg with another 100. Babar was once again all class, excellent bowling effort by all. A job well done 👏👏👏 🇵🇰
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 7, 2021
South Africa's chances of chasing down Pakistan's total of 320-7 were effectively snuffed out by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, who took three wickets in successive overs to reduce the hosts to 140-5 in the 28th over.
Promising batsman Kyle Verreynne (62) and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo (54) put on 108 off 100 balls for the sixth wicket but both were dismissed in the space of seven balls. South Africa were bowled out for 292.
Nawaz took 3-34 from his seven overs while left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi finished with 3-58.
Boucher said he was disappointed with the series result. "We never like to lose a series in your home conditions but throughout the series Pakistan were the better side."
The South African coach said the fact that leading players were missing had been taken into account in the series planning.
"We knew exactly what was going on quite some time ago, so there are no excuses," he said.
